I Will Always Remain Committed to Party Ideology: Kishan Hegde Kolkebail
Udupi: Newly appointed Udupi District Congress President Kishan Hegde Kolkebail said he would sincerely discharge the responsibility entrusted to him by the Congress party and remain committed to its ideology while working to strengthen the organisation.
Speaking to the media after his appointment as the new district Congress president, Kishan Hegde said senior leaders of the Congress party chose him for the post. He said he never took an unscrupulous route in his pursuit of power and added that his appointment demonstrated how patience and perseverance could eventually lead the party to entrust a person with greater responsibility.
“The Congress office is like a temple to me. I will always worship it,” Kishan Hegde said.
He recalled that his name had earlier been announced for the post of district president but was subsequently withdrawn. Describing the incident as a bitter experience, he said he did not know the reason behind the decision.
“Perhaps the party felt at that time that my selection was not appropriate. I do not wish to blame anyone over the issue,” he clarified.
He said the party might have appointed him as district president now either because he respected its earlier decision or because he maintained patience and discipline.
Kishan Hegde said he would effectively discharge his responsibilities as district president for as long as the party required his services. He emphasised that the party needed not only leaders but also strong and committed grassroots workers.
“In this direction, we will identify dedicated workers and reorganise and strengthen the party through them. We have the responsibility of ensuring that the Congress elects MLAs from Udupi district in the 2028 Assembly elections,” he said.
“We will not offer ‘cement Bhagya’ or ‘cow slaughter Bhagya’. Instead, we will provide several people-oriented schemes, including Gruha Jyothi. The Congress is not working to mislead the youth. Rather than putting swords in their hands, the party is giving them books and working to guide them along the right path,” Kishan Hegde said.
He said there was a need to re-energise party workers who had become inactive.
“Our workers have not committed any mistake; our mistake was that we failed to awaken and motivate them. Therefore, we will take all workers into confidence and work towards strengthening the party from the grassroots level,” he said.