'Congress is not interested in personal attack'

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Oscar Fernandes has expressed confidence of the Congress winning all three constituencies in coastal and Malnad belt —Dakshina Kannada, Udupi-Chikmagalur and Shimoga in the ensuing Lok Sabha polls. 

Addressing mediapersons here on Monday, he said that the Congress is banking on the development works initiated by the UPA government in the last 10 years.  

To a query on the comments by Congress leaders against Narendra Modi onGodhra riots, inspite of the SIT giving clean chit, Fernandes said that the Congress is raising the issue because it is plaguing in the minds of people. “The issue of allegations against Modi is now in people’s court. Election is a platform for the voters to decide his fate.”

“The Congress is not interested in attacking anybody over personal matters, but the issue of Modi’s wife is also a matter of violating the rule of law. AICC Vice President Rahul Gandhi commented on Modi’s wife because the latter had declared his marital status for the first time,” the minister said. 

On Sanjay Baru’s book on Manmohan Singh- “The Accidental Prime Minister”, Oscar Fernandes said that the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has already given clarification on the issue. “However, we had elected Sonia Gandhi for the prime ministerial post.

But, she did not agree to be a prime minister and the responsibility and power was handed over to Manmohan Singh. The party is real functionary and gives guidance to the government and people also expect it,” he said. 

Mangalore model 

All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary and former Goa CM Luizinho Falerio hailed Mangalore as the shining example for communal harmony and unity. Mangalore is marching ahead in terms of development, education and cultural ties with other states. Goa can look at Mangalore or Karnataka as model for development, he said. 

‘Gujarat model is fake’

He termed Gujarat model as fake. In terms of economic development, Gujarat is moving backward when the country is moving ahead. The State government had purchased farmers land by paying just 15 paisa and are distributed it among rich.  Only industrialists are smiling in Gujarat and poor are suffering without education, healthcare and other basic facilities. 

“About 15 per cent children and women are suffering from malnutrition in Gujarat. Atleast 10,000 industries have been shut down in the last few years and 4,15,000 farmers have lost their land,” he said. 

“The Gujarat government has miserably failed in implementing 18 flagship programmes of the Central government. The education is made a right, but Gujarat government has failed to implement Right To Education and Right to Information Acts. Karnataka government has fulfilled 50 per cent of promises  announced in the manifesto during the assembly elections,” Falerio added. 

Earlier, Oscar Fernandes, Luizinho Falerio and other senior Congress leaders paid a floral tribute to the portrait of B R Ambedkar on the occasion of his 123rd birth anniversary.
 
The Congressmen also conducted door-to-door campaign for their candidate. KPCC Secretary Ivan ‘Souza, MLA’s J R Lobo, Mohiuddin Bava, Mangalore Mayor Mahabala Marla among others were present.