The Congress has fielded 16 candidates from minority communities for the election to the 60-member Mangalore City Corporation council scheduled to be held on March 7.
In the 2007 election the party fielded 18 candidates from Muslim and Christian communities.
The party announced its candidates on Saturday, the last day for filing nominations.
Of the 16 candidates fielded by the party this year, 11 are Muslims and five are Christians. The party had fielded 11 Muslims and seven Christians in the 2007 election.
Defeat
In 2007, the Congress tasted defeat for the first time after the Corporation came into existence in 1983 and thereby paved the way for the BJP to hold the reins of the local body.
The Congress has fielded 15 candidates who were members of the previous council. Prominent among the party candidates are former Mayors Gulzaar Banu and M. Shashidhar Hegde.
Some senior party workers who have been issued the ticket this time are: Harinath from Marakada (ward no. 14), Mahabala Marla from Kadri Padavu (No. 22), Lancelot Pinto from Bejai (No. 31) and B. Vishwanatha from Alape South (No. 50).
Janata Dal (Secular)
Meanwhile, the Janata Dal (Secular) also announced its candidates for all 60 wards on Saturday. It has fielded former BJP councillor Mohan Padil from Alape North ward.
