Mangaluru: With only a few days left now for the Lok Sabha election, the candidates and their supporters are busy seeking votes from the public. While BJP candidate Nalin Kumar Kateel from Mangaluru Lok Sabha constituency is striving hard to retain the constituency for the third consecutive time, the youth leader from Congress, Mithun Rai is testing his luck for the first time. Both are knocking the doors of voters and also attending the conferences of party workers in order to tackle the strategies of their opponents.
Amid their busy schedule campaigning, newskarnataka.com contacted Congress candidate Mithun Rai for a quick interview.
Here are the excerpts from the interview-
· How is the election campaign and the response of the voters?
There is a good response from the public and voters are greeting us wholeheartedly. I have already covered the areas of Beltangady and Puttur and we need to move to other parts of the district in the remaining days. There is a plan to meet booth workers of all areas on April 4. People from all age groups are showing their support for Congress and I hope we can regain the constituency this time.
· What do you have to say about the allegation by BJP that Congress is misusing media in order to win in this election?
Such allegations are far from the truth. By passing such baseless allegations against Congress and media, it has maligned its own image. In reality, it is the BJP, which has been trying to misuse the media and social media through its fake promises and false propaganda.
· There is a rumour that a group of people from Youth Congress is against your candidature and one of the leaders Karthik Poojary has tendered his resignation also. Will it damage your chances?
No leader with the name Karthik Poojary exists in the Dakshina Kannada District Youth Congress. I am ready to show our list of leaders who are attached to the Youth Congress Committee. It must be the tactic by our opposition party. Though there were some aspirants for the ticket, now all the leaders irrespective of their seniority, are supporting me.
· Why should the people vote for you?
Though our MP was elected for two terms, he has not done any major developments in our district. My motto is development of our district and creating jobs for youth. If I am voted to power, I will do my level best to concentrate on these two important subjects. Strengthening bond between Hindus, Muslims and Christians is another major aim of mine and I will strive hard to unite them all.
