Secular votes will not be divided in bypoll: Congress

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman K Rahaman Khan said that the Congress is confident of wining Udupi-Chikmagalur bypoll, as voters are aware of the failure of the BJP government.

Speaking to media persons following his visit to Jumma Masjid in Koolur, he said the Congress candidate Jayaprakash Hegde is known for his friendly behaviour and also has worked for the people in this area.

The major issue during the poll will be the failures of state government in taking up development work and also its negligent towards implementing the welfare programmes initiated by the UPA government, he added.

He said that the Congress was committed to ensuring social justice. On the objection of the BJP in providing reservations to Muslims, Khan said that the Congress’s vision of social justice was not confined to one particular community. “We have taken all measures according to the constitution. Such reservation is there in Karnataka. The BJP is raising issues as it has nothing else to offer,” he said.

On the division of secular votes owing to the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) fielding candidates for Udupi-Chikmagalur constituency, he said that there will be no division of secular votes in the constituency as the Congress has a strong support base.

“India is always praised and adorned for its secularist ideologies and communal intolerance has no room in this country,” he said.

He said “we will tell people about the failure of the State government in implementing the Union government-sponsored schemes. The State had also failed to implement schemes for the welfare of fishermen,” he said.