Report and pics by Alok S
Team Mangalorean

Mangalore: In the backdrop of the BJP's 'Jail Bharo' campaign to be held in the district on June 22, KPCC secretary Ivan D'Souza called a press meet in the district Congress office here in Hampankatta on Thursday June 21.

Speaking to reporters, he said that BJP's 'Rasta roko aur Jail bharo' is a political gimmick was not aimed at the welfare of the public. He said, "Petrol price has been reduced by Rs 2.21 earlier this month. Foreign countries like USA and others have survived economic tumult. The UPA under the able leadership of economist PM Manmohan Singh will help India survive too.

Why were they so many hikes in the fuel price during the NDA tenure? When energy minister Shobha Karandlaje was questioned as to why the electricity price was hiked, she responded saying production in the state is low and there is scarcity of power in the state as it is rationed to other states. Today in the MCC, water price was hiked. In this way the BJP is also hiking prices in their governance and reasoning out with lame excuses. How can their reasons be accepted? Currently, Rs 17 per litre is going to the state government as cess' Let them reduce this now. The state govt is also profiting when there is a hike in fuel prices, therefore it is equally liable."

He urged the BJP to stop this gimmick of 'Jail bharo' and pay attention to welfare of the district and state.  He questioned the absence of a district in-charge minister.

When asked about the defeat of a Congress candidate in recent elections, he chose to keep silence and said the district president would give an answer to it.

Former Mayor K Ashraf , DCC secretary Sudheer T K, Youth Congress(YC) president Praveen Alva, former YC general secretary Nazeer Bajal, YC general secretary Merril Rego and YC general secretary Arya were also present at the press meet.