Karnataka: Former minister Abhayachandra Jain decides not to contest again

MANGALURU: Senior Congress leader and former minister K Abhayachandra Jain announced that he will not contest elections in future.
Jain said that he would like to give opportunities for young leaders to come forward. “I will not contest again. I will leave my position to young leaders. Congress should come back to power in India for the progress of the nation. Youth should be given more opportunity for the future of Congress. Voters will be attracted towards Congress if more opportunities are given for young leaders. I suggest all senior leaders in the party to think of change and give opportunities for youth,” Jain said.
He recalled how he lost to BJP from Mulky-Moodbidri constituency in the previous Assembly election. “I had requested the party high command to offer a ticket to youth leader Mithun Rai to contest from Mulky-Moodbidri constituency. My honesty did not fetch a victory for me. Hence, I decided young leaders should be given opportunities,” he added.
Jain, who was the minister for sports and youth empowerment, said, “I had plans to construct a full-fledged stadium for Mangaluru. However, I could not accomplish my plans after I lost the portfolio. However, I could construct a synthetic track, swimming pool and a gym in Moodbidri and thereby encourage athletes. In fact, I had laid the foundation for a swimming pool at Emmekere in Mangaluru during my tenure as a minister,” Jain said, offering floral tributes to legendary Indian athlete Milkha Singh at the District Congress Committee office.