Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network- Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru Jul 3: "Ahead of the forthcoming elections Congress parties are striving hard towards strengthening the party and are set to organize a convention at Adyar Gardens on July 7," informed district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai.

Addressing media persons here on Monday July 3, Rai said, "Party representatives, Lok Sabha and panchayat members from Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu districts will take part in this convention. The convention will be graced by chief minister Siddarammaih. KPCC president Dr G Parameshwar, AICC in-charge Dinesh Gunduroa, Congress leader Mallikarjuna Kharge, K C Vengopal, S R Patil are expected to take part in this convention.

He further said, ”We are striving hard to strengthen the party and are confident enough of overpowering all the eight constituencies in the district in the forthcoming elections. We are conducting this convention at a higher level and have also conducted various workshops around the state. We are looking forward to nominating youth as office bearers of the district committee which will be added strength to our party.”

On a possible rift within the party, Rai said, "Every family has one or other minor problems, but this does not mean we have a rift within the party. Our party has comparatively less problems within itself."

When questioned about allegations made by Harikrishna Bantwal abusing senior Congress leader Poojary, Rai said, "I do not like to talk about what is baseless and I will not give importance to those rumors."

On Aloysius Road controversy Rai said, "The government has brought a temporary stay on renaming Aloysius Road to Mulki Sundararaman Shetty and we will discuss with both the parties without hurting anyone's feelings. This issue will be brought to a conclusion at the earliest."

Chief whip of MCC Shashidhar Hegde, district Congress president Harish Kumar, former district Congress president Ibrahim Kodijaal and others were present.