Defeat Congress candidate in Davangere, Ashok tells Muslims

Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashok has urged the members of Muslim community to defeat Congress candidate Samarth Shamanuru Mallikarjun in the Davangere bypolls, as his victory will deny them Congress ticket for the next 50 years.

Speaking after releasing the BJP’s manifesto for the bypolls in Davangere on Tuesday, Mr. Ashok said that Samarth is just 27 years old and his victory will mean that he won’t leave the constituency forever.

“Then, Muslims will have to wait for next two-three generations. But if the Congress loses, Muslims may get party ticket the next time,” he said.

He said that the Congress has kept away the Dalits and backward classes and now, Muslims are not being allowed to come anywhere near it.

The victory of the Congress candidate will further increase the highhandedness of the family and its exploitation of the public, he said.

He appealed to the voters to oppose such dictatorial political families and elect the BJP’s Dalit candidate Srinivas Dasakariyappa.

The former Union Minister G.M. Siddeshwar, the former Minister M.P. Renuakacharya and several other leaders were present.

In the 12-point manifesto, the BJP has promised good roads and infrastructure, better health services, education, employment, industries, cleanliness, women development, protection of farmers interests, better transport, transparent administration and drinking water.