Congress -JD(S) coalition candidate from Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha constituency Mithun Rai promised to work as a voice of the youth and people of Dakshina Kannada district if elected to power.
Speaking at Congress convention organised ahead of filing of nomination at Town Hall here, on Monday, he said, “The people of the district had elected BJP candidate for the last 28 years. Give me a chance to work for the district. I will work as a grassroots-level worker for the next five years, for the progress of the district.”
He promised to raise voice for employment security of Asha workers and others from unorganised sector. In spite of Dakshina Kannada having 152 first grade colleges, 8 medical colleges and 13 engineering colleges there is lack of employment opportunities in the district and graduates are forced to migrate in search of greener pastures.
“I will work for generating employment for the youth, so that graduates can work in the district and take care of their aged parents,” he added.
He appealed to the voters to vote for a change and better political system.
Rai described Janardhana Poojary as his political guru and said the leaders from Dakshina Kannada district recommended his name to the High Command as a candidate.
“I will try my best to check merger of Vijaya Bank,” he said and appealed to the party workers to work for him for the next 25 days.
Stressing on communal harmony and brotherhood, Mithun Rai said undivided DK was the land of harmony where people from all castes and religions lived in harmony by helping each other.
District In-charge Minister U T Khader said, “Time has come to defeat our inactive MP Nalin Kumar Kateel. Mithun Rai is a youth icon and we all should strive for his victory and thereby help in making Rahul Gandhi the prime minister of the country.”
He demanded the BJP to face the election directly rather than engage in spreading rumours on social media.
“We are neither left wing nor right wing but we are straight wing believing in the truth. No major projects were implemented in Dakshina Kannada district in the
last 10 years. Incumbent MP was engaged in laying foundation stones for works when the election was fast approaching.”
Former minister and Head of Coalition Committee for DK Lok Sabha constituency Ramanath Rai urged Kateel to release a white paper on the development works initiated by him in the constituency for the last 10 years.
“The undivided DK district was represented by stalwarts like B Shiva Rao, Srinivas Mallya, Ranganath Shenoy and T A Pai who had worked tirelessly for the development of the district.”
Earlier, Mithun Rai had visited Kudroli temple, Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple, Bunder Jumma Masjid and Rosario Church to seek the blessings of the almighty.
Padayatra
After the convention, the party workers along with Mithun Rai took out a ‘Padayatra’ from Town Hall to DC’s office to file the nominations.