Mangalore: Congress leaders, including Union Minister Oscar Fernandes, called upon party activists to ensure the victory of B. Janardhana Poojary, “who will be an asset in the Lok Sabha and add strength to his fight for cause of people and region”.

A large number of party activists had gathered at the meeting organised by the Dakshina Kannada Pradesh Congress Committee. “This meeting has been called to thank you all for the support that you all have given me. I will not be taking you all when I file my nomination papers on March 26,” said Mr. Poojary.

Inaugurating the meeting, Mr. Fernandes said he had been among the many young activists who worked for the party inspired by leaders such as Mr. Poojary, M. Veerappa Moily and the late Blasius D’Souza. These three stalwarts worked tirelessly for the cause of the party, people and the region, the Union Minister said. “It is because of them we have become ministers and legislators,” he said.
Aim for 28

It was the duty of Congressmen to highlight the developmental programmes of the United Progressive Alliance and ensure the victory of Mr. Poojary, he said and added that the Congress activists had the responsibility to create a record by winning all the 28 Lok Sabha seats.

Minister for Environment and district in-charge B. Ramanath Rai said Mr. Poojary had been a dynamic person and he will be more productive in the Lok Sabha as he will be actively involved in the proceedings. “When there is dearth of persons with commitment and honesty, we see light in people like Mr. Poojary. Even those in opposition hold him in high regard,” said Mr. Rai.

People had to choose between a workaholic like Mr. Poojary and BJP candidate Nalin Kumar Kateel, who failed to work for region in his five-year term, he said.

Minister for Urban Development Vinay Kumar Sorake said Congress activists should go around telling people about developmental programmes taken up by Congress government in the State and in the Centre. “We have to remind people about rice at Rs.1 per kilogram. We also have to say about the measure to allow construction of house on 10 cents of land,” he said and added that the party lost nearly 50,000 votes from Sullia, Belthangady and Puttur assembly constituencies in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections. With seven assembly constituencies in the Congress hold, activists should work for a landslide victory for Mr. Poojary, he said.