Mangalore: Congress workers stage protest against denial of ticket to Ivan D’Souza

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Apr 6, 2013: Supporters of KPCC Secretary Ivan D’Souza staged a protest   in front of District Congress Office on April 6, Saturday, for denying a ticket to their leader to contest the polls from Mangalore South Constituency.

Addressing the protestors, Michael Lobo, General Secretary of District Congress said that the Congress party had assured Ivan D’Souza of   a ticket  till Friday, but all of a sudden announced the name of J R Lobo who had  joined the party three months ago.

He said that the party which failed to recognize the sincere efforts put in by Ivan D’Souza for the party since the past ten years Ivan D’Souza has  been working for the party since ten years, had  announced  JR Lobo as its candidate.

 Former Mayor and Congress leader Ashraf  who was also present, said the appeal of Ivan supporters to the high command since the past 15 days, has fallen on deaf ears.” We are not against J R Lobo, but we are against injustice done to Ivan,” he said.

When we asked senior leader Janardhan Poojari about the denial of ticket to Ivan, he points towards Oscar Fernandes who when contacted points fingers towards Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily, Ashraf said and added “In fact all these have planned to give seat to Lobo,” he said.

When there were so many senior Congress members, why did the  party choose a new entrant as a candidate?,” he questioned.

 Congress leaders like Mithun Rai and Praveen Chandra Alva were present.