MANGALURU: Former Union minister and veteran Congress leader B Janardhana Poojary said here on Sunday that he will be ready to contest the Lok Sabha election in 2019 if the party gives him ticket.The 81-year-old Congressman was speaking to media persons after distributing fruits to the inmates at various orphanages and old age homes in the city as part of the birthday celebration of congress Supremo Sonia Gandhi . “I have already told the party high command that I am ready to contest Lok Sabha election,” Poojary said.Poojary, who had served as Union minister in Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi governments, said he is in touch with party high command. “They have been seeking information about developments here every day. Whoever be the candidate, we need to work together for the party. We need to win the confidence of people with folded hands. If we fail to win the confidence of people, it is difficult to win the election. Let them give me the ticket to contest if they have confidence in me. Whoever be the candidate (from Congress), the person should win,” Poojary said.Recalling party’s victory in Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) council election, Poojary said it was possible because of unity. Poojary, who had spearheaded the campaign for the council election, said it was not his achievement, but the blessings of voters. “We need to strive for the victory of party candidates this time too,” he added.On Ayodhya issue, Poojary reiterated that a temple for Lord Sri Ram at Ayodhya is the wish of all Hindus. “I still stick on my statements that a temple should be built at Ayodhya,” he added.Speaking to inmates of St Joseph Prashanth Nivas orphanage, Poojary said, “you are children of god. You are being taken care of by institutions like this with love. All orphans will be on streets if institutes like this did not exist.”

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