Mangalore: Show of strength - Congress Holds Auto Rally
Pics by Dayananda Kukkaje
Mangalore, Jan 19: The Congress party had organized an autorickshaw rally on Friday, as a prelude to the Janandolana convention, which would be held at Nehru Maidan on Saturday.
Ivan D’Souza, vice-president of the District Congress Committee, stated in a release that the rally, inaugurated by District Congress president Ramanath Rai, commenced at the party office at Hampanakatta, traversed through Nellikai Road, Kudroli, Mannagudde, Lalbagh, Bunts Hostel, Mallikatte, Kankanady, Falnir and ended at the Nehru Maidan.
D’Souza said that more than 250 autos, 150 two-wheelers and 50 four-wheelers took part in the rally.
Parking arrangements
The DCC has made parking arrangements for vehicles arriving from different parts of the district for the Janandolana convention. Ramanath Rai has stated in a release that for vehicles arriving from Ullal, Sullia and Puttur, parking has been provided at Piza Garden, Pandeshwar.
Likewise, vehicles coming from Bantwal and Vittla should be parked at Government BEd College near Town Hall, vehicles coming within city corporation limits at Taluk Panchayat grounds, and for vehicles coming from Surathkal and Moodbidri, parking has been provided at Nehru Maidan itself.
Show of strength today: leaders
It will be a show of strength by the Congress at the Janandolana convention, party leaders claimed here on Friday.
Former DK Zilla Panchayat president Sadananda Poonja admitted to reporters here on Friday that there has been a setback to the Congress in the district due to internal differences — but claimed that people were still with them. “The proof will be Saturday’s convention, where people will attend in large numbers,’’ he said.
Poonja claimed that there was no dissidence in the party. Asked why a press conference was called separately on Friday by him and why he was not present at the district Congress president’s press meet on Thursday, Poonja said all was well with the party and there may have been a communication gap, which was why he could not attend the press meet on Thursday.