Mangaluru : KPCC member Mohammed Masood advised the Mayor not to indulge in group politics but to discuss the problems of people and development works with each member of the party.

Speaking at the meeting of the district south block unit of the Congress at the district office of the party in Mangaluru on Sunday, he said that there have been several groups in the party, but when a party member holds a responsible position, it is his or her duty to involve all the members of the party in the deliberations related to development works.

“Government officials are escaping from their duties nowadays. Party leaders, especially the elected representatives, should know how to get works done by government officers,” Masood said and added that development works such as road and drinking water must always get priority.

He, meanwhile, expressed displeasure over the absence of senior leaders at the meeting. He further said that the decision of the party High Command should be respected by all. “Also, the party workers should be treated with respect. Power is not everything. There is a mentality of looking down upon some senior leaders in the party, such as former Union Minister B Janardhana Poojary, only because they have lost elections and are not in power. This is not right. The party members should value their experiences and follow their ideals. B Janardhana Poojary has given great contributions for the party and has been striving for the uplifting of poor,” the leader stressed.

Corporator A C Vinayraj said that the BJP has set a bad example by appointing B S Yeddyurappa as the state president. “Yeddyurappa was jailed on charges of corruption, while he was chief minister,” he reminded.

Mayor Harinath was felicitated on the occasion.

Mangaluru South Block Congress President Balakrishna Shetty, Vice president Theresa Pinto, AICC member and district Congress spokesperson P V Mohan and district Congress Secretary T K Sudhir were present on the occasion.