Mangaluru: The Congress party’s defeated candidate from the Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha seat, Padmaraj, has stated his commitment to strengthening the party in the constituency.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Padmaraj congratulated the newly elected MP Brijesh Chowta on his victory and urged him to focus on reestablishing communal harmony and initiating development projects in the constituency.
Reflecting on his defeat, Padmaraj noted that he received more than six lakh votes, a significant number given the limited time available for campaigning. He expressed pride in the number of votes garnered and pointed out that the BJP candidate’s victory margin was smaller compared to previous elections.
Padmaraj emphasized his dedication to continuing efforts to fortify the party. He mentioned that party leaders were impressed with his performance in the election, praising him by saying, “You fought like a lion.” He said these words boosted his morale.
Padmaraj also expressed disappointment over the Congress party securing only nine seats despite the state Congress government’s implementation of five popular programs. He highlighted the need for introspection within the party regarding these results.