Congress will welcome secular leaders: Seetharam

District In-charge Minister M R Seetharam said that the Congress will welcome leaders with secular mindset into its fold.

He was speaking to reporters after a mass marriage organised by Al Ameen Kodagu district committee at Kaveri Hall in Madikeri on Sunday.

Seetharam said, “Discussions are on regarding appointing KPCC chief. The High Command will decide on a suitable candidate for the post. After the appointment, the Kodagu DCC chief will be appointed.”

He lauded the efforts of the organisers in organising mass marriage for the last 11 years. “There is a need to help the poor to come to the mainstream in the society. Financial constraints come in the way of marriage of girls of poor family. The state government introduced the ‘Shaadi Bhagya’ scheme to help the poor. A total of 400 persons have availed of the benefit under ‘Shaadi Bhagya scheme in Kodagu. A donation of Rs 1 lakh will be given to the Al Ameen Kodagu district committee.”

Former MLA K M Ibrahim Master said that the state government has taken a revolutionary step to distribute title deeds for the houses of the poor.

“The Congress-led state government has taken up welfare programmes for the poor. The poor who have been residing on paisari, gomala and government land for the last several years were denied of title deeds. Now, the state government has decided to provide title deeds to poor,” he added.

Exhorting the Muslim community members to unite, he called upon the community members to educate female children.

SP P Rajendra Prasad said organising mass marriage by identifying the poor is good work. “It is not a good trend to exhibit wealth in a marriage. I had gotten married in a simple ceremony and am happy in my life. Small differences of opinion in a family life are common, which need to be sorted out patiently,” he reminded.

Deputy Commissioner Richard Vincent D’Souza and others were present.