Senior Rai to lead joint poll campaign panel for junior Rai in DK

Mangaluru, Mar 24: Compelled by the seat sharing agreement between the Indian National Congress and Janata Dal (Secular), the leaders of both the parties in Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha constituency have put up a united front to ensure the victor of Young Congress leader Mithun Rai.

The two parties held a joined press conference at the district Congress office in the city today sending strong message to two-time Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, who is seeking reelection for the third consecutive term. The Congress also faces challenge from Social Democratic Party of India, which is likely attract votes from a section of Muslims and Dalits in the district.

The coalition partners have also constituted joint election campaign committee under the leadership of former minister and Mithun Rai’s mentor B Ramanath Rai, who was also one of the aspirants for the party ticket from DK. The committee will chalk out strategies and ensure that there is synergy of purpose between leaders and workers of the coalition partners in their bid to put an end to the victory march of BJP, which has won the constituency six times since 1991.

Addressing the newsmen, Dakshina Kannada district unit chief of the Congress Harish Kumar said that the local leaders have already finished booth to district level training and conference for party workers and all are keen to ensure the victory of youth leader.

He said the leaders and workers of both parties will hold a a meeting at Kudmul Ranga Rao Town Hall at 10.30am on March 25 before Mithun heads out to nearby DC’s office and file his nomination papers at 12.49pm.

Mohammad Kunhi, president of district unit of JD(S) said the Congress high command has chosen a ‘winning’ candidate in Mithun Rai, who will help bring about a change. “Failures of the BJP will be the biggest boost for the candidature of Mithun,” he said.