Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Jun 17: At the legislature party meeting of the Congress Party held here on Wednesday June 16, legislators of the party raised their voices at the fact that they face difficulties in approaching Rajya Sabha member, Oscar Fernandes. Fernandes is seeking reelection to the post this time.

“Oscar is seen only when he needs our votes. Once that is over, he vanishes. If we want to meet him to get anything done, we have to spend about Rs 25,000 on travel and other expenses. He is our representative, but he remains elusive most of the time,” several of the participants said, voicing their grievances against the veteran Congress leader.

Oscar was taken unawares, when MLA, Rahjshekhar Humnabad and other legislators criticized him at the meeting. Reportedly, the party leaders cut short the detractors and promised that the issue will be discussed at a different forum with them later.

Legislator, Malikaiah Guttedar, said that the Rajya Sabha members are not to be seen for six years after they are elected. “They do not know us. Hence, we face the need to introduce ourselves as a legislator of the state. Even from the point of view of the party, their contribution is negligible. For getting their local area development funds sanctioned to our constituencies, we are compelled to put in lot of efforts,” he added. Reacting to this, Mangalore MLA, U T Khader, said that he has succeeded in getting grants from S M Krishna, Oscar, B K Hariprasad etc., and advised the critics to put in efforts besides applying for the grants, by going to Delhi, to get the needful done.

Even after this incident,  legislators were seen discussing among themselves over the fact that the state unit of the party had not benefitted anything out of Oscar Fernandes, who has been enjoying power since the last over three decades. The meeting witnessed the presence of leaders in large numbers, while only 56 out of 74 Congress MLAs attended. Addressing the meeting, Oscar said that the party has drawn out a well-planned strategy to ensure the victory of its candidate, T V Maruti, and that the results of the strategy will be there for all to see on Thursday.