Mangaluru: Senior Congress leader and Minister for Water Resources D. K. Shivakumar has asked BJP candidate Nalin Kumar Kateel to show his performance report over his last two terms in the DK constituency.

Speaking to the reporters at District Congress office on Monday, April 15, Shivakumar said, “Nalin Kumar Kateel should reveal his contributions to the Dakshina Kannada district before seeking votes from the public. Despite Mangaluru being a vibrant centre for import and export and despite the place having huge tourism potential, here is enough tourism potential, Nalin Kumar has failed to bring any major projects to this constituency. Around 62 per cent of educated people from Dakshina Kannada district are migrating to other countries and states, seeking jobs. Hence, why should people vote for Nalin Kumar Kateel again here?”

Shivakumar predicted that the BJP would drop down to single digit this time when the election results come out on May 23.

“Not even a single promise made during the previous election has materialised. People have lost trust upon the BJP government. Hence, people would definitely prevent the BJP from assuming power this time”, he said.

Hindutva is not an asset of anybody

Responding to a query on why Congress candidate Mithun Rai wears a saffron shawl and is showing soft corner towards Hinduism, Shivakumar said, “ Hindutva is not an asset of anybody and no person takes birth by putting application. Mithun Rai is from a Hindu family and he has all right to follow the Hindu culture and tradition. Change should take place in DK district and Mithun Rai is a good and capable candidate to bring changes here. In order to root out violence and to bring unity in the district, people should vote for Mithun.”

To gain something, we need to lose something

When asked about the disappointment of Congress leaders for party tying-up with JDS, Shivakumar said, “ in order to gain something, we need to lose something. Though we have allowed JDS candidates to contest in Mandya, Hassan and Chitradurga, it would benefit the Congress party in securing seats in other constituencies.”

MLC and district Congress president Hareesh Kumar, former MLA Moideen Bava and other Congress leaders like Mahabala Marla, Shashidhar Hegde, Bhaskar K, Purushotham Chithrapur, Naveen D’Souza, A. C Bhandary, A. C. Vinayraj among others were present.