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Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JD)

Mangaluru, Apr 10: "The Congress party has not been able to give good governance in the state as there are three conflicting groups within the state government," said Mohammed Masood, former MLC and KPCC member.

He was addressing the Congress leaders and workers during the party's monthly meeting and felicitation programme for mayor Harinath at the district Congress office here on Sunday April 10.

Without elaborating on which groups the three were, Masood further said, "There are three groups in the government due to which the government is not functioning efficiently. Today there is no respect for senior leaders in the party. Even though Janardhan Poojary lost elections four times despite his people-friendly programmes like loan mela and making the tiller the owner of the field, the party came to power. The leaders of the party have kept him at a distance with no position in the party.

"The main reason for the decline in the party's popularity is the increasing number of middlemen. Because of them the workers and public are not able to meet the leaders. Hence, even the leaders are not able to respond to the people's problems. The middlemen have to be kept aside for the efficient functioning of the party," he opined.

"There are many issues in the MCC today. The main reason is that MCC engineers and other officials are not responding to people's woes. I call upon the party workers to work with the people for their sake and pressure the officials to strive for development," he urged.

"I appeal to the mayor not to misuse his power. You (Harinath) are one among the few senior leaders who have toiled hard for the party from many decades. Many people opposed your candidature for the mayor's post while supporting their own candidates. Do not keep them away. Do not give scope for different groups within the city Congress unit. Give justice to people," Masood said.

Spokesperson of the district Congress and corporator A C Vinayaraj said, "By appointing former CM Yeddyurappa as the state party president, BJP has lost its credibility and also the moral right to speak on corruption. All the Congress party workers must go to every house and remind people of the corruption during Yeddyurappa's tenure as chief minister. We are left with only one-and-a-half years for the legislative Assembly elections, so it is time to start preparing.

"Respond to the needs to the people irrespective of the party. Then they will be convinced about our credibility," he added.

Delay 

Even though the felicitation was scheduled for 10:30 am, it took place after noon after the arrival of mayor Harinath. When questioned about the delay, the mayor said that he had to attend a programme pertaining to the development of the city. "They do not listen to me even if I say no to the felicitation. I requested them not to hold the felicitation programme as development works get curtailed. Just for the sake of the party workers I have to come and accepted this honour," he said.

He was felicitated by Mangaluru South block Congress president Balakrishna Shetty on behalf of all the party workers in the block.

AICC member PV Mohan, fomer deputy mayor Kavita Vasu, corporators Asha D'silva, Abdul Rauf, Appi, Prakash Salian and others were present.