Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (MM)
Pics - Melka Miyar

Mangalore, May 26: The Congress party organized a Catholic leaders’ meet in St Sebastian Church Hall, Thokkottu here, on Friday May 25.

Addressing the gathering, Praveen Davar, general secretary, AICC said that the Congress was formed by W C Banerjee, who belonged to a minority community and out of the 10 presidents of Congress in the beginning, 9 had come from minority community, he said.

When the minority communities left Congress, the party had weakened and subsequently the minorities too weakened, he opined.

Veerappa Moily, chairman, union administrative reforms commission said, “Our question is not limited for vote. It is a question of life and to live with dignity. Each one should have his own value. Congress is striving for that, irrespective of his caste, creed and religion.”

Fr Thomas D’Souza, parish priest, St Sebastian’s church warned Congress leaders not to take Christian voters for granted. If the genuine demands of Christians are not fulfilled at the right time, the community is also ready to leave Congress, he said.

Oscar Fernandes, union minister for labour, election observer Ivan Nigli, former ministers J Alexander and Gangadhar Gowda, DCC chairman Blasius D’Souza, AICC member Joseph Stalin, KPCC member Navinchandra, former ZP member Louis Monteiro, Congress candidate for Ullal by-election U T Khader and others were present on the dais.

Denis proposed vote of thanks. DCC vice president Ivan D’Souza welcomed the gathering and compered the programme.