Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MM)
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangalore, May 8: Mangalore South Congress candidate Ivan D'Souza on Wednesday May 7 blamed BJP candidate and former MLA Yogish Bhat of misusing his influence during his door-to-door campaign in the constituency.

Speaking to media persons, he alleged that Yogish has been telling all the voters that they need not pay the arrears of the water bills of the Mangalore City Corporation. He said that the  BJP government is responsible for the hike in the water bill. 'Yogish Bhat is misguiding the voters by telling them not to pay the arrears,' said Ivan.

'BJP has never opposed the implementation of self-assessment scheme (SAS) in the city. The locals have to pay taxes for everything they have. Only the Congress corporators opposed this tax system in MCC meetings. But Yogish Bhat is misleading the voters.' he said.

Expressing his anguish over discrepancies in the distribution of EPICs, Ivan said that those involved in taking photographs for voter identity cards are not doing their duty well. Besides the fact that the photo sessions begin late, the names of the voters are also wrongly printed on the identity cards in many cases. In a few cases, photo sessions have been recorded as already done even though they are not. He therefore urged that another photo session be organized ahead of the assembly elections.
 
Ivan expressed his satisfaction on the reception he received from the people when he visited all the  38 wards in his constituency. He also said that he is confident of winning the elections.

Congress spokesperson M G Hegade, senior Congress leader Kodinjal Ibrahim and others were present at the press meet.