Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Jan 2: Former minister B Ramanath Rai on Saturday January 2 said that the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee will hold its first divisional level representatives' special meet. It be held on January 6 at Sagar Auditorium in Bantwal.

He was speaking at a press meet at Congress Bhavan here. He said, "The meet will be officially commence at 11 am until 7.30 pm. As many as 677 representatives from Mysuru, Kodagu, Chamarajnagar, Mangaluru, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga will take part in the convention.

“CLP leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah, KPCC president D K Shivakumar, Congress leader S R Patil, KPCC working president Saleem Ahmed, Sathish Jarkiholi, Ishwar Kandre will be present during the convention.

“Saleem Ahmed and DK Shivakumar will come to Mangaluru on Monday. They are likely to address the media in Mangaluru prior to the convention. The first step to strengthen the party will begin from Dakshina Kannada," he said.

MLA U T Khader said, "The convention will throw light on the failure of the BJP government in the state, and also on the visionary programmes of Congress to the public and also organisation of the party."

Congress district president Harish Kumar slamming BJP said, "BJP, to win the gram panchayat elections, has involved in cheap tactics of threatening and enticing the candidates. BJP party workers have suppressed the Congress party workers. BJP used the tactics to withdraw rival candidates’ nomination by threatening, allurement and giving false promises. They also threatened the voters stating that people can avail the benefits of the government only if they support BJP. They could win elections through money and muscle power. Out of 3,200 Congress supported candidates, 1,011 candidates have won the elections," he said.

Harish Kumar also admitted that the Congress has done well in the taluks like Moodbidri, Ullal, Bantwal, but could not win more seats Beltangady, Puttur and Sullia taluks in recent gram panchayat elections.