Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Feb 17: The state level Congress convention was held at Sahyadri College ground on Saturday February 17.

Addressing the gathering, chief minister Siddaramaiah asserted, "In the upcoming elections, we must secure a minimum of 20 seats. I urge the people not to trust the BJP, as they consistently fail to fulfill their promises. Reflect on the commitments made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi a decade ago, none of which have been realized. The BJP manipulates emotions and exploits religious and caste divisions among the populace. Since 2014, no one has experienced 'acche din' as promised by the BJP. Unlike the BJP, Congress does not make false promises. Despite our commendable efforts, we suffered defeat in previous elections.

"In 2018, the BJP only fulfilled 60 out of 600 promises, whereas Congress has delivered on 5 guarantees in just 8 months. I have never encountered a Prime Minister as untruthful as Modi. He has even appropriated the term 'guarantee' from the Congress, now referring to it as 'Modi guarantee’.

"Nalin Kumar Kateel and Shobha Karandlaje have remained silent in the central government, failing to advocate for the release of funds for our state. I implore the people to support our cause and ensure victory for the Congress candidate in Udupi and Mangaluru, defeating the BJP candidate,” he said.

AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge urged the public not to empower Narendra Modi, warning that he seeks to become a dictator and control governance, law enforcement agencies, media management, and more.

He said, "In light of the recent budget announcements, we are confident that we will secure 20 seats in the upcoming elections. Modi has failed to allocate land to the people or enact security measures, and he has not fulfilled promises such as the deposit of Rs 15 lac or the creation of jobs. Conversely, Congress has consistently delivered on its commitments.

"We have noticed Modi's shift towards personal guarantees, whereas Congress has always referred to the Siddaramaiah government's pledges as 'Congress guarantees’. Unlike Modi, who promotes his personal guarantee, we emphasize the collective commitment of the Congress party,” he said.

Deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar remarked, “Mangaluru holds historical significance as the land where Koti Chennayya and Narayaguru resided. Janardhan Poojary and Veerappa Moily played pivotal roles in strengthening the Congress party, with Poojary organizing Sala Mela programmes, which I also actively participated in. The party's growth was propelled by these initiatives. Dr Veerendra Heggade noted that devotees have increased due to free bus travel and are offering prayers in the name of the chief minister. Party workers should approach voters with confidence. The Congress hand has become stronger with all its fingers intact, while the BJP has faltered."

Responding to the accolade of being likened to a rock, Shivakumar quipped, “Whether I'm called a rock or a slab, the Congress party will secure victory in at least twenty seats. Deve Gowda once vowed to leave the country if the BJP won, yet he has now aligned his son with the BJP."

He emphasized the need for unity to fortify the Congress party, affirming, “It is imperative that we all come together to bolster the Congress party and ensure victory in over 20 seats in the upcoming elections."

Home minister Dr G Parameshwar, MLC B K Hariprasad, KPCC working president Salem Ahmed, former MLAs Ramanath Rai and Vinay Kumar Sorake, district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, ministers K H Muniyappa, R V Deshpande, K J George, Laxmi Hebbalkar, Congress leaders Randeep Singh Surjewala, MLA Ashok Kumar Rai, district Congress president Harish Kumar, Congress leaders Mithun Rai, Padmaraj Jain, and others were present.