Vijaykumar Shetty will not contest as rebel candidate: Poojari

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Apr 17, 2013: Senior Congress leader and former union minister B Janardhana Poojary has said that former MLA Vijaykumar Shetty will not contest  the upcoming election as a rebel candidate.

Speaking at the press meet held at Congress Election Publicity office at Nanthoor on April 17, Wednesday he said that he has  persuaded  Shetty who has been a part of the Congress right from the beginning,  to go back on his decision to contest  the election.

Poojari also added that Shetty has heeded to his appeal.Poojary further said that Shetty  has assured to work for the party despite his disappointment and has thus become a role model to other party men.

Defending the party decision to field minority community candidates in three constituencies in Mangalore, Poojari said the BJP should learn from the Congress. Reacting to allegations from the BJP  that the Congress was giving undue preference to minorities, Poojari  said  everyone has the right to contest elections and added that the  Congress was the only party which gives due representation to people of all castes and communities.

He also came down heavily on the BJP which he said had spoiled the reputation of the region through  pub attack, church attack, home stay attack and many other vigilante attacks.

The senior Congress leader also charged the BJP of spreading false rumours of confusion within the Congress. The decision of the Congress high command is always final, he said adding the Congress has given tickets to two Muslims, one Christian, a Jain candidate and 9 Hindu candidates in the 13 constituencies in DK and Udupi districts.

Poojari on this occasion reiterated that the Congress which has come to power in the MCC will stick to its decision against hiking property tax.

Strongly condemning the bomb  blast near BJP Office in Bangalore, Poojari  said that the authorities must take strict action against whoever responsible for it.

 Congress leaders Ibrahim Kodijal, J R Lobo, Harikrishna Bantwal, U T Khader, Vinayraj, Badruddin, Ashraf, Mithun Rai, Sadashiv Ullal, Thomas and others were present.