Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jan 1: Former city mayor, K Ashraf, who had assumed charge as the new president of the city block Congress committee on December 9 with much fanfare, has tendered his resignation from the post. While submitting his resignation to Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, Dr G Parameshwar, Ashraf has also endorsed a copy thereof, to district Congress president, Ramanath Rai.

In his resignation letter, Ashraf has enumerated the reasons that have compelled him to take this sudden decision. He has alleged that he was insulted by a senior Congress leader at his installation ceremony held at Scouts and Guides Hall in Lalbagh on December 9, and that he is being pressurized to get involved with politics of groupism.

“I have been a sincere party activist since the last 25 years, and have always discharged organizational responsibilities effectively. In addition to being elected thrice as a city corporator, I also functioned for a term as the city mayor. I have always maintained transparency and honesty in my functioning, and have earned the goodwill of the party workers. When the party leaders identified my ability, reposed confidence in me, and asked me to become block Congress president, I agreed to shoulder this responsibility,” he explained in the letter.

Ashraf said that one of the veteran leaders of the party, while speaking at his installation ceremony, had alleged that the former had indulged in corruption and that many had opposed offering of the post of mayor to him. He further said that he is being pressurized to get involved with groupism politics. While admitting that he is unable to get involved with divisive politics while being in such a responsible position, he has asked the KPCC president to investigate the truth behind the above allegations, in addition to persuading the latter to accept his resignation.