Mangalore: Muslim leaders in the Congress namely former mayor K Ashraf, SK Abbas and BH Khader, convened a press meet in Mangalore on December 19, Wednesday, to pressurize the party high command to give party tickets to at least two Muslim candidates during the ensuing assembly elections in the state.

The leaders said  that more than 40 per cent of votes in Mangalore Assembly constituency comes from Muslims, and pointed out that the Muslim population was around 4 lakh out of the total 14 lakh voters in the constituency. They said  Muslim candidates should be given a chance in at least two of the constituencies.

Asked if they would be happy if Janardhan Poojari and Sorake were given the LS tickets, the leaders said they are bound to abide by the party decision. At the same time, they said they were not against UT Khader, the lone Muslim MLA from the district and said he has been doing a good work. At the same time, he said  they were not particular about any constituency, but want Muslims to get opportunity in at least two places.