Congress not worried about SDPI in coast: U T Khader
Mangaluru (PTI): The Congress is not much worried about the active presence of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) in the communally polarised Dakshina Kannada region ahead of the May 10 assembly elections in Karnataka, former minister and Mangaluru MLA U T Khader said.
In an interview to PTI, he said, "I don't see SDPI as a threat to our vote bank. People are not going to support their communal agenda." Khader said people in the region are more concerned about issues like poverty, unemployment and protection of their basic rights. Only the Congress addresses these issues in the election campaign.
"Congress is there for everyone and strives to uphold the constitutional rights of citizens and fights to protect them. Voters will ultimately realise that."
"When we try to protect the Constitution, the rights of minorities will also be protected. The electorate will vote for a secular government in the state," he said.
Asked whether SDPI, the political arm of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), will eat into the Congress vote bank, he said they have only limited influence in Dakshina Kannada.
"The BJP is on its deathbed in the state. It is now the duty of SDPI to save them," he said. "We are opposing the communal policies of both the parties."
The Congress leader further said the SDPI's two-three percent votes in the region cannot make an impact in the elections. "The Congress had won when they contested against us and we know the people are with us."
Congress is focusing on the failures of the BJP government which is steeped in corruption, he said expressing hope that the party will considerably improve performance in the twin districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.
In the last elections, Khader was the only Congress candidate to win from the region. BJP had won 12 out of the 13 seats in the two districts.
He said the Congress is working unitedly for victory. On former MLA Mohiuddin Bava deserting the party and contesting on a Janata Dal (S) ticket from Mangaluru North, he said the decision will only damage his political career.
"Political leaders need to learn patience. The party cannot always favour a leader and they have to take it in their stride."
Khader said the description of the coastal region as the laboratory of Hindutva politics is not always correct. People have chosen different parties in successive elections.
He recalled that in 2008, out of the eight seats in Dakshina Kannada, the BJP and Congress won in four seats each. In 2013, Congress won seven seats and BJP won only in Sullia. In 2018, Congress lost due to certain undercurrents.
"A strong anti-incumbency wave is now visible in the state due to their divisive politics and people have learnt that Congress should come to power to maintain peace and harmony," he said.
On the CM Basavaraj Bommai-headed government taking away four percent quota for Muslims and placing them in the economically weaker sections category, Khader said it is not right to withdraw the existing quota of a community.
The decision reflects the BJP's continuing attempts to polarise the society and gain political advantage, he said.
Khader is contesting for the fifth consecutive time from the Mangaluru (erstwhile Ullal) constituency and had won all the four elections he faced.
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Delhi Police arrests two teens for stabbing man during altercation over breaking queue
New Delhi (PTI): Two teenagers have been arrested for allegedly stabbing a 22-year-old man during an altercation over breaking a queue at a gurudwara in northwest Delhi’s Shalimar Bagh, police said on Wednesday.
The incident took place on Monday, around 8.30 pm, when Rajeev was standing in a queue to collect milk at a gurdwara in Singalpur, an official said.
According to the complainant, the accused, Sumit Barman and Anuj Thakur – both aged 18 – attempted to break the queue, leading to a scuffle.
During the scuffle, Anuj allegedly restrained the victim from behind while Sumit stabbed him in the chest with a knife, police said.
The accused also assaulted Rajeev’s friend Arvind, who tried to intervene, before fleeing the spot, they added.
Upon receiving a PCR call, a police team reached the spot and rushed the injured to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital, where his statement was recorded, police said.
A case under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 109(1) (attempt to murder) and 3(5) (joint liability) was registered on Tuesday, and an investigation was initiated, the officer said.
Local intelligence inputs and raids at suspected hideouts led to the arrest of the two accused, police said, adding that during interrogation they confessed to their involvement.
Based on Sumit’s confession, the knife used in the crime was recovered, police said.
They said both the accused were first-time offenders, and further investigation is underway.
