Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, May 16: Senior Congress leader Ramanath Rai said that the Congress party defeated the BJP in a convincing fashion but performed below par in Dakshina Kannada district.
Addressing the media on Tuesday May 16, Rai said, “The Congress convincingly defeated the BJP in the state but we were not up to the mark here. The public kept faith and voted for the Congress. We may have lost in the district but we are forming the government in the state.
“Win or loss, I will continue to work for my party. I will take part in all the party activities. Like I had informed earlier, this was my last election.
“The BJP have never won majority seats in the state. They formed a coalition government with the JD(S) and once with the independent candidates. The Congress and JD(S) leaders were poached by the BJP through ‘Operation Lotus’ thus forming a government illegally.
“This time, the Congress has gained a majority. The public did not support the BJP. The BJP will never come to power again. The Congress will triumph even in the Lok Sabha elections.
“The Congress ‘Guarantees’ will be implemented soon after the oath taking ceremony.
“The BJP also postponed the zilla and taluk panchayat elections by two years. We are looking forward to those as well.
“Earlier, Dakshina Kannada had benefited the most through the Congress government’s schemes. We will ensure that our schemes reach the maximum number of people.
“I thank each and every one who worked relentlessly for the Congress in gaining the majority. I have lost by a small margin. We accept the defeat in the district but will work hard to gain back the seats here as our party is in power in the state.
On a query if he would contest the Lok Sabha elections next year, Rai said “As I have decided, I will not contest the elections, but will be actively involved in party activities. The party is supreme for me and I will do whatever the high command wants me to do.”
“There has been a smaller margin of votes compared to last elections. We believe firmly that the public will support Congress in the other upcoming elections,” he said.
On the chief minister’s section, Rai said that the high command will take the call and the party leaders will obey their decision.
Corporator Shashidhar Hegde and Naveen D’Souza, Congress leaders Ibrahim Kodijal, former mayor Ashraf, Sahul Hameed, Neeraj Pal, Lancelot Pinto and others were present.