Pic: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru May 19: Former MLA Abhayachandra Jain demanded senior Congress leader B K Hariprasad to be handed over the portfolio of state home minister and district in-charge minister of Dakshina Kannada (DK) as the district, a communally sensitive one, needs a fierce leader.

Addressing media here on Friday May 19, Jain said, “Now, Congress is in power in the state. Yes, we have lost in the district as we lacked having a leader here. We need leaders who are strong enough. B K Hariprasad will be the right choice to be the district in-charge minister and home minister of the state. Hariprasad is an experienced leader in the administrative setup. U T Khader is gentle and a mild personality. We also demand a good portfolio for Khader as well.

“The schemes which were announced by the Congress should be implemented in the entire state irrespective of caste, creed and constituencies,” he said.

When asked the reason for the BJP’s dominance in the coastal belt, Jain said, “The Congress speaks about development. The BJP has nothing to speak about development and instead raise topics like Hindutva to seek votes. This will not last long.”

Over RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat’s allegations that Congress was behind the Puttur police atrocity incident, Jain said, “Bhat and Nalin Kumar Kateel are responsible for the incident as they influenced the police who thrashed the accused.”

He also said, “I back Mithun Rai to be made an MLC and a minister as well. There are some unseen hands behind his loss. I support Mithun as he is one of the most capable young leaders we have.”