'Delay in declaringcandidate could prove costly for Cong'

Daniel Ranger, a Congress member from Karkala, termed the situation within Congress in Karkala as "pathetic" and said that the delay in announcement of the contestant has worsened the situation.

Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, Ranger said that the members of the party have lost interest and the present situation calls for taking immediate steps by the High Command.

The Congress party and its activities in Karkala seems to be dead and the Opposition is all set to take advantage of the situation, he added.

Ranger said that if the present condition continues, Congress would lose many workers and the party will also lose its roots in the Assembly constituency.

"After Harsh Moily decided to withdraw his candidature, the district in-charge, G A Bava, and Bharat Mundodi are absconding from the constituency," he alleged.

"The party members have not been taken into confidence and the party lacks proper leadership in Karkala.

However, Uday Kumar Shetty has ensured that the party workers in the constituency are brought together under one single umbrella and the party should consider him for the candidature. The High Command should take immediate measures," he said.

He said the poor leadership in Karkala had resulted in the party facing continuous defeats inZP elections, TP elections and in 26 gram panchayats. He added that currently the situation is improving and the supporters of Uday Kumar Shetty have urged the party High Command to ensure a ticket to Shetty as he has proved his ability as an able leader in the past few years. He said if the party decides not to field Shetty, his supporters will not support the candidate chosen by the party.