Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Oct 25: A meeting of Muslim political, social and religious leaders held at the mini hall of the town hall here on Wednesday October 24, pitched for fielding a Muslim candidate by the Congress in the ensuing Lok Sabha election.

The meeting was organized under the aegis of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district Muslim Central Committee and action committee of Mangaluru Lok Sabha constituency. It was presided over by the president of Central Committee, M S Mohammed Masood.

Masood in his address felt that Congress should have offered Lok Sabha candidature of the local constituency here to Muslims long back. "We have been putting forth this demand rightfully after 70 years of independence. It is the responsibility of the party to meet our justified demand," he said. He said that the sub-committee will decide about the candidate and make an announcement about the same. He asked Congress party to convey its decision before November 30, adding that the Muslim leaders will announce their final decision at a convention being organized at Nehru Maidan here on December 15.

Masood stated that awareness in this respect among the people would be created with the support of Congress, JD(S), Muslim leaders of leftist parties, heads of different Muslim sects and organizations, and sought support o all the Congressmen.

Advocate, Muzafar Ahmed, noted that Janardhana Poojary, Ramanath Rai etc had been supported and established by the Muslims but now the situation has come to such a pass that the Muslims are forced to beg even for zilla panchayat, taluk panchayat and gram panchayat tickets.

Former MP, B Ibrahim, former MLA, Moideen Bava, former mayor, K Ashraf, SDPI district president, Athaullah Jokatte, JD(S) leader, Hyder Parthipadi, Jamaat-e-Islam-e-Hind president, Muhammed Kunhi, Congress leader, G A Bawa and zilla panchayat member, Shahul Hameed, also spoke on the occasion.

Leaders like B H Khader, S M Rashid, T M Shahid, Abdurrauf Puttige, Abdul Aziz Kudroli, Saed Ismail and others were present.

Former chairman of Mangalore Urban Development Authority, Kodijal Ibrahim, welcomed, Haneef Khan Kodaje presented the programme. Nooruddin Salmara proposed vote of thanks.