Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, May 3: Ahead of the crucial Karnataka elections, as many as 35 BJP supporters from Kottara and neighbouring areas joined the Congress here on Thursday, May 3.

They were welcomed to the party by incumbent MLA and Mangaluru South constituency candidate J R Lobo at a function held at the Congress' publicity committee office at Mallikatte.

Addressing the gathering, Lobo said that people have been supporting him because of his development-oriented, corruption-free administration and people-friendly initiatives as a legislator for the constituency.

"BJP supporters are fed up with their party's maladministration and misbehavior of their leaders. BJP never cares for its ordinary supporters or members. It is just brainwashing them in the name of religion and using them only for riots. But Congress has always promoted the principles of harmony and peace. Development is the mantra of our party," he stressed.

"Every time BJP claims that for the past 70 years, the nation did not see any development. But they don’t have answers when asked who introduced the five year plan, who brought the land reform law, who brought about the industrial revolution in the nation or who has taken the leadership for imparting modern education in the country.

"We want to ask BJP a simple question - how did they get a chance to rule the nation? Answer is very simple - it’s due to the Constitution. For the past 70 years, Congress protected India’s Constitution very carefully. Because of this Constitution, BJP got an opportunity to rule the nation. Now BJP leaders are saying they want to change the Constitution. It means in its four years' term itself, BJP is planning to destroy the the concept of 'India'. Today, they are spreading hate in every corner of the nation. So frustrated by this, people are leaving BJP and joining the Congress," Lobo said.

Youth Congress block president Vishwas Kumar said, "This constituency is in the forefront of development because people elected J R Lobo as their elected representative in the last election. I request people to join hands with him again for further progress of the region. Do not fall prey to fake promises and threats of the BJP. Help him in winning this election."

Corporators Praveen Chandra Alva, Nagaveni, Former Mayor, Mahabala Marla, MUDA Chairman, Suresh Ballal, Youth Congress leader, Denis D Silva were present.