Manglore: Dissidence has sparked in the District Congress soon after the party announced JR Lobo as its candidate from the prestigious Mangalore South constituency. On April 6, Saturday, several Congress workers staged a protest outside the District Congress office here condemning the denial of ticket to KPCC General Secretary Ivan D’Souza who was a strong aspirant for a ticket from the constituency.
Ivan supporters were seen raising slogans and holding placards demanding a ticket for Ivan.
Michael Lobo, Mangalore City Block Congress General Secretary, who spoke on the occasion, said the party has betrayed dedicated party men by denying ticket to a leader like Ivan who has been sincerely striving for the party since the past ten years.
They also demanded the leaders to give an explanation for the denial of ticket to Ivan.
Though District Youth Congress President Mithun Rai and former mayor and Mangalore City Block Congress President Ashraf who arrived at the venue, at the outset seemed to be trying to pacify the agitated workers, later while speaking to the media they too said they were hurt by the party decision.
“ We are not against Lobo,” they said and alleged that the party granted ticket to Lobo at the behest of entrepreneur Ronald Colaco.
Ashraf further alleged that senior leader Janardhan Poojari was against granting ticket to a minority community leader from Mangalore North constituency.
The agitators also burnt an effigy of Ronald Colaco on the occasion.
