Mangalore: Former Union Minister B Janardhana Poojary said that the DK and Udupi district congress will hold massive convention at Nehru Maidan and Indian National Congress President Sonia Gandhi will participate in the valedictory function to be scheduled on October 18, Thursday.

He was speaking at a press meet held at District Congress Office on October 6, Saturday. He also said that the MP’s, MLA’s, MLC’s of both district congress, members of Taluk Panchayath, Zilla Panchayath, Gram Panchayath, Block Congress and various wings will participate in the convention.

Poojary said that more than 15,000 congress leaders and activists will participate in the convention and AICC General Secretary Oscar Fernandes will preside over the event. The congress members from central and state ministry will join the convention.

The aim of the convention is to strengthen the party and prepare for the upcoming election. He said that the election may take place in January or even in December. If not it will be in the month of March- April since the terms of present administration come into end.  This convention will encourage the activists to work for the party.

MLA Ramanath Rai said that after the valedictory function, Sonia Gandhi will visit Kudroli Sri Gokarnatheshwara Kshetra at 6 pm to inaugurate the centenary celebration of the temple and Dasara Mahotsava. She will inaugurate the programme after performing the puja to the deity.

He also said that Gandhi will also unveil the centenary stone in the temple premises and inaugurate the stage function by lighting the lamp and deliver speech. Even former minister Oscar Fernandes will participate in the four day event, he added.

MLA U T Khader, MLA Abhaychandra Jain, former MLA Vijay Kumar Shetty, KPCC secretary Ivan D’Souza, Shashidhar Hegde, Kripa Alva, Harikrishna Bantwal, Mamatha Gatty, Vasanth Salian, Mithun Rai and other were present.