PAYING RESPECTS: Freedom fighters and senior party workers who were felicitated at a function in Shimoga on Saturday to celebrate the 121st foundation day of the Congress.

SHIMOGA: The function to mark the 121st foundation day of the Congress here on Saturday provided an opportunity for some senior members to express their ire over the neglect of sincere and loyal workers in the party.

E.D. Narayanappa, a freedom-fighter of Sagar taluk, said opportunists in the party were harming the interest of the Congress. He said that youngsters and women should be given rewarding positions.

N.K. Gangamma, a veteran leader, complained that honest and committed workers were not getting suitable positions in the party, as it had become the "monopoly" of a few leaders.

Speaking as the chief guest on the occasion, the former Minister Kagodu Thimmappa said the Congress was the only party which could lead the country on the path of progress as it enjoyed a glorious history.

He said that the Congress had fought for the country's freedom to make it politically, socially and economically independent. "Now that the first aim has been achieved with India becoming independent, efforts need to be concentrated to quicken the pace of the social and economic progress," he said and added that Independence would have no relevance unless the social and economic problems of people were solved.

Referring to the proposed the Virat Hindu Samajotsava to be held here on January 27, Mr. Thimmappa asked the party workers not to get disheartened by such events as they were aimed as dividing society. He said there was a dire need to unite all sections on secular principles.

Mr. Thimmappa honoured the freedom fighters and veteran party workers such as the former municipal president P. Puttappa, Kudli Hameed Sab, Narasimhaiah, Krishnamurthy, D.B. Gangamma, Basappa, Srirangaraju, Mallappa, D. Murugesh, N.K. Gangamma, Wahab Khan, Ahmed Ali Khan, E.D. Narayanappa, Ramanna and Shantaveera Gowda.

MLC and President of the District Congress Committee Mir Azeez Ahmed presided over the function. Vice President of the DCC R. Prasannakumar welcomed the gathering.

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