Congress to hold massive convention on July 7

Mangaluru: Eyeing on the forth coming assembly elections in the state, the Congressmen from Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu districts have decided to hold a convention at Adyaar Garden, on outskirts of Mangaluru on July 7.

Addressing a news conference on Monday, Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai said that the convention that will begin at 3 pm will focus on strengthening the party in the state.

"Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, KPCC president Dr G Parameshwar, senior leader Mallikarjuna Kharge, KC Venugopal AICC general Secretary, Working president of KPCC Dinesh Gundu Rao and DK Shivakumar will take part in this convention," Rai said adding that already the party had organized workshops at the regional level about the development programmes by the Congress government.

With regard to appointment of Harish Kumar to the position of Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee President, instead of former mayor Shashidhar Hegde, Rai said that some decisions have to be taken keeping interest of party in mind. However, he said that Hegde too will be given good position in the party.

Meanwhile, refuting the allegations leveled against him by former Congress leader Harikrishna Bantwal that he had made derogatory remarks against veteran Congress leader Janardhan Poojary, Rai question if there was any proof to the same. "I have spent several days in Delhi during Lok Sabha elections urging the High Command to give ticket to Poojary. I also supported Poojary in internal elections during Lok Sabha elections," he said.