Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee president-designate Padmaraj R Poojary on Saturday criticised the Election Commission and the BJP over issues ranging from electoral-roll revision and alleged ‘vote chori’ to Tulu language recognition and coastal development.
Addressing a press conference at the Congress Bhavan in Mallikatta, Poojary said the Election Commission was an important institution in a democracy and should uphold the principle of ‘one person, one vote’. He alleged that recent developments had raised questions about the credibility of the poll body.
Poojary announces Congress protest
Referring to objections reportedly raised by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, Poojary alleged that their concerns had not received adequate consideration from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
He also referred to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of ‘vote chori’ and said subsequent developments had reinforced concerns raised by the party.
Poojary announced that, following directions from the Congress high command and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), the Dakshina Kannada Congress would organise a protest march on Monday.
The march will begin from Mahaveer Circle, also known as Pumpwell Circle, and proceed towards the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Mangaluru.
Congress leaders, elected representatives, office-bearers and party workers are expected to participate in the protest, Poojary said. He also appealed to members of the public who believe in democratic and constitutional values to join the programme.
Poojary demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and called for an investigation and legal action over the allegations raised by the Congress.
Poojary defends Tulu recognition
Poojary also criticised former BJP MP Pratap Simha over his reported comments questioning the significance of the recognition accorded to Tulu.
The Karnataka Cabinet, at its first-ever meeting in Mangaluru on September 18, decided to accord Tulu the status of the state’s second additional administrative language in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.
Poojary described the decision as a matter of pride for the people of Tulu Nadu and credited the Congress-led Karnataka government for the move.
“Instead of looking at everything from the perspective of profit and loss, the sentiments of the people must be respected,” he said.
He urged Simha to apologise to the people of Tulu Nadu and appealed to BJP leaders from Dakshina Kannada to clarify their position on the issue.
Defends Mangaluru Cabinet meeting
Poojary also defended the Karnataka government’s first Cabinet meeting outside Bengaluru, held in Mangaluru on September 18.
He said the meeting demonstrated the government’s focus on the development needs of the coastal region and referred to projects announced for Dakshina Kannada in areas including infrastructure, ports, roads, transportation, drinking water and other sectors.
He also criticised BJP leaders for not pressing the Union government for a greater share of central tax revenues for Karnataka.
Poojary said the state government’s decision to delegate powers relating to certain properties measuring less than 1,000 square metres to local authorities would help address issues faced by the public.
He also referred to the proposed expansion of facilities at Wenlock District Hospital, including an increase of around 400 beds.
Calls for restraint in political protests
Reacting to the BJP’s recent protest, Poojary said democratic protests were welcome but urged political leaders to maintain dignity in their language and conduct.
He criticised the use of personal remarks and allegedly disrespectful language during protests, saying such behaviour could bring disrepute to the cultural values of Tulu Nadu.
“Criticise us when we are wrong and alert us to our mistakes, but do not do anything that makes the people of Tulu Nadu hang their heads in shame,” he said.
Poojary appealed to political parties to keep their criticism focused on policies, governance and development rather than personal attacks.
Congress highlights guarantee schemes
Poojary also defended the Congress government’s five guarantee schemes, saying the party had implemented its electoral commitments despite criticism from the BJP before the elections.
He alleged that the BJP subsequently adopted similar welfare guarantees in some states and claimed that certain schemes were later discontinued.
“The people are watching,” Poojary said, urging the opposition to focus on constructive criticism and development.
The press conference covered several issues currently dominating political debate in Karnataka, including the Election Commission controversy, Tulu recognition, the development package announced after the Mangaluru Cabinet meeting and the implementation of welfare schemes.