Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Nov 29: The much-awaited maiden visit of Congress state president D K Shivkumar to Udupi has sparked new hopes and energy among the loyal workers of the struggling Udupi district Congress.

It is an open secret that nothing was right in the district Congress in the recent Lok Sabha elections.

There was news that the front runner workers and leaders of the district had planned to stage a silent protest in front of the venue of today’s programme. But at the last moment, DKS succeeded in speaking to them and gave them a short time of 15 minutes in the Udupi IB after the convention to listen to their grievances.

Speaking exclusively to daijiworld, one of the leaders and workers, who did not want to be named, gave an insight into today’s discussion with the state president. Nearly 200-plus workers met DKS and succeeded in submitting their plea. After listening to them, DKS assured the workers that within 15 days, he will hold a meeting with former district MLA, ministers, party presidents and leaders in Bengaluru. After this meeting, a separate meeting with workers would also be called to discuss the misunderstandings.

Recent appointments and denial of posts to Muniyal Uday Kumar Shetty and Pramod Madhwaraj

Congress workers especially of Udupi and Karkala constituency have openly batted for the Muniyal Uday Kumar Shetty for the post of district president's post. He was recently named as vice-president but at the last moment the decision was changed. As a mass leader and strong Bunt community leader, his being distanced from the party has damaged the Congress a lot.

Even Pramod Madhwaraj, who is a strong leader of the party and enjoyed popularity as minister and MLA in the previous government, has distanced himself from all district Congress activities, which has proved a major setback for ground-level workers. Madhwaraj was not even present at the workers' convention on Sunday, though he did make it a point to meet DKS briefly before the programme began.

Recently, a young worker was removed and his post given to a new entrant from the BJP, and the latter was even made a leader for the district. The question being asked within the party is, if young workers are being treated this way, would the Congress have any appeal for the young generation of political activists? "The party workers expressed their bitter feelings with us and pointed out that if youngsters are treated this way, then what future would Congress have in the district? On what basis was the young leader removed? He had the capacity to bring youths with him," said the party leader to daijiworld, adding, "Are the district Congress posts for sale?"

He however added that D K Shivakumar was unaware of these developments in the district Congress. "DKS was unaware of the current developments before we apprised him of the issues. He has responded positively and assured that all loyal party workers will be given suitable posts and respect," he said.

Pramod Madhwaraj's absence

Asked about Madhwaraj's absence at the Congress workers' convention on Sunday and whether his being distanced from the party would hurt, the party leader said, "Yes, it will hurt, but it is only because he has been hurt. There are some bitter feelings over the way he has been treated in the party of late. Without Pramod Madhwaraj, it is difficult for Congress to come back in the Udupi constituency. Same is the situation in Karkala as well."

To a question on whether Congress workers were capable of retaining Pramod and Muniyal Uday Kumar Shetty in the Congress, he said, "We workers are capable of retaining them within the Congress. If they both leave, then who else is there in Udupi? If any such thing happens they would have expressed so. But it is natural for anyone who has been hurt to take such a step. But not only them, even we will do so."