Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Feb 28: “If there is a party that is concerned about minorities, it is only Congress. Prime Minister Modi who is trying to woo minorities obtained publicity through triple Talaq. In fact, there was no practice of getting divorce by saying Talaq thrice. The work of sending wrong message to society in this manner is in progress. Minorities should remain alert in this regard. If we lose this time, we will have to forget next fifteen years,” said Congress minority division state president Y Sayyid Ahmed.

He was speaking after inaugurating the district level Congress Minorities division conference held in Grace auditorium, Thekkatte.

He said, “We should be united for the country. We will have to work together for Congress party. We should prove our loyalty by strengthening Congress party led by national party president Rahul Gandhi and chief minister Siddaramaiah.

“BJP is eying the votes of minorities now. They are trying to woo Muslim community by holding discussions with diamond merchants of South Africa and lure Muslim community in the state through them. The incidents of Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi are in front of people. Therefore, the minorities should support candidates representing Congress,” he said.

Member of Rajya Sabha, Oscar Fernandes who chaired the conference, said that the constitution of India is unique in the world. “It has given the freedom to live in the country as equals. However we can hear demands that the constitution should be changed. The subject was put forward during elections in Bihar. Congress party campaigns for the protection of the constitution. The contribution by minorities for the country is noteworthy. Several people have sacrificed their lives. People will support Congress for the constitution and unity. Congress cannot lose. There is no question of loss when the party unites.”

Byndoor MLA K Gopala Poojary, Vidhan Parishat member K Pratapchandra Shetty, Vidhan Parishat chief whip Ivan D' Souza, KPCC chief secretary G V Bava, state minority development corporation president M A Gafoor, district Congress vice president Udayakumar Shetty Muniyalu, state INTUC president Rakesh Mally, Congress district president Janardhan Thonse, minority division state organizer Hassan Sheikh Ahmed Manipur, minority division district-in-charge Mushtak Ahmed Belve, secretary M S Mohammed, coastal region president U B Saleem, minority division state admin Irshad Ahmed Sheikh, Udupi town development authority president Narasimha Murthy, publicity committee vice president Dinesh Putran, former zilla panchayat president Raju Poojary, senior Congress leader B Hirianna, town municipal council president Vikas Hegde, minority division leaders Dastagir Saheb, Riaz Mohammed, Haroon Saheb, Mohammed Rafiq, Abdulla Kaup, Abdul Hazeez, G Sardar Saheb, P L Jose and block presidents Madan Kumar Byndoor, Malyadi Shivarama Shetty Kundapur, Shanker Kunder Kota, Navinchandra Shetty, Youth Congress's Ichithartha Shetty and others were present.

Udupi district minority division president Ismael Atradi welcomed and gave a key note address. Stephan Colaco and Judith Mendonca compered the programme. Shalet Rebello proposed vote of thanks.

Elite remain absent

Several elite named in the list of invitees remained absent. Former chief minister M Veerappa Moily, district-in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj, minister of forests and environment B Ramanath Rai, minister of Bengaluru development K J George, minister of food U T Khader, minister of education and wakf Tanvir Sait, Haj minister Roshan Baig, former minister C M Ibrahim, Vinay Kumar Sorake and several other elite were absent.

“It is said that two machines to count currency notes were found in the residence of Ishwarappa. Why do you have machines to count notes when you say that you do not have a machine to print the notes when extra funds are asked for the minorities?” asked Ivan D' Souza.

“Only Siddaramaiah led Congress government has provided the highest funds for the minority community. The government which ruled from 2008-2013 had provided Rs 300 crores for minorities. Siddaramaiah led government has provided Rs 2,750 crore. The government has provided the maximum for education and the basic necessities of the minorities,” he said.