Mangalore, December 19: A group of Muslim leaders in the Congress party has reiterated its demand that adequate representation be given to Muslim candidates in the impending Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in constituencies of Dakshina Kannada district.
Addressing media persons at a press meet in Mangalore on Wednesday, a delegation of Muslim Congressmen such as former Mayor K Ashraf, B H Khader and S K Abbas pressed for the need to have at least two Muslim candidates contesting in the eight Assembly constituencies in the district.
Mangalore Lok Sabha constituency has 14 to 15 lakh voters of which 4 lakh are Muslims, around 2 lakh Christians and 50,000 other minority community members. More than 40% of the votes come from minority communities and the Congress High Command must give opportunities to Muslim candidates in the next Lok Sabha elections and field at least two Muslim candidates in any of the eight Assembly constituencies in the district, Mr. Abbas said.
When asked if the delegation was against Mr. Poojary or Mr. Sorake, who are likely to get Lok Sabha election tickets, Mr. Ashraf said that the Muslim leaders will toe the party line and have nothing against Mr. Poojary or Mr. Sorake but are only demanding that Muslims be given opportunity to contest the polls.
On a query as to whether Muslims in Congress are not satisfied with U T Khader being given the opportunity to contest Assembly polls, Mr. Abbas said that Mr. Khader has done a good job and the Muslim leaders are not asking him to be replaced. “Let him contest but we need at least two Muslim representations. We are not asking for specific constituencies either”, he said.
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