Udupi: BJP Convention - Former MP Manorama Madhwaraj Back in Party
Shubhalakshmi
Pics: Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Feb 29: "The development works undertaken by the state BJP government in three years is more than what Congress and JD(S) did in 55 years," said chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda while speaking at a convention of BJP leaders and party workers here on Wednesday February 29.
He said that the Congress and JD(S) are conducting their poll campaigns by putting the BJP down and spreading false rumour about his party.
"We are the ones who responded to the problems faced by fishermen. We are bringing the Karnataka Citizens' Services Act into force in four districts, and we also also concerned about the welfare of the youth and mulling on a youth project," he said.
"BJP is cent percent sure of winning the Udupi-Chikmagalur bypoll," he asserted, adding that Congress is not confident of its victory.
Interestingly, former BJP MP Manorama Madhwaraj who was also in Congress and who has not been in active politics for sometime now, was not only present on the occasion, but even felicitated Sunil Kumar with a garland, signalling her reinstatement into the BJP fold. Her son Pramod Madhwaraj is a youth Congress leader.
Manorama Madhwaraj in her address said that it was not possible to talk of the reasons why she had distanced herself from the Congress, though she did say that she was tired of fighting against the Nagarjuna Power Ltd (UPCL).
"I will not go to any other party again," she asserted.
"When a person from BJP who was supporting Nagarjuna Power could switch over to Congress, why can't I come to BJP?" she reasoned, without revealing the name of the person.
She also said that she cannot reveal the name of the person who brought her back to the BJP. A source, however, told Daijiworld that she was miffed with the Congress as the party had promised her that it would recommend her name for the governor's post but did not do so.
MP Ananth Kumar praised Manorama Madhwaraj in his speech, saying, "Manorama Madhwaraj has done a lot for the fishermen community. "After learning that Sunil Kumar had stood for the election, she could not resist taking part in this convention to give her blessings."
He then attacked the JD(S) and said that BJP is not a party without foundation, like JD(S).
"Along with former chief minister Yeddyurappa, even the late minister Dr V S Acharya too had given much attention to the development of Udupi." he added.
He urged the gathering to ensure Sunil Kumar's victory by a margin of one lac votes.
Lambasting the Congress, he said that most of problems in the country have been brought about by the Congress, be it inflation, terrorism, Naxalism, all of which have become more during the UPA reign.
"The people themselves have 'exported' Veerappa Moily and Oscar Fernandes to Delhi," he said, stating that the public does not want Congress.
BJP state president Eshwarappa expressed confidence that the people would elect Sunil Kumar as their representative, adding that BJP can win any election any time.
"Yeddyurappa gave his resignation as soon as he was told to. BJP state government stands second in terms of development in the entire country. There is no doubt that BJP would come to power once again."
In his address, BJP candidate Sunil Kumar said it is a party workers' bypoll, and that he is confident of being chosen.
"BJP's veteran leaders have done immense development works for the state. In the coming days, I shall try to chisel away my faults and aim at perfection," he said, urging the gathering to vote for him.
Primary and secondary education minister Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri told the BJP party workers to strive hard to bring about more development. "We must undertake many more development works, and this is possible only if Sunil Kumar comes to power," he said.
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel launched a diatribe against Congress at the centre and said that Congress has no morality or ethics. "Two or three Congressmen are in jail over the 2G spectrum scam," he pointed out, adding that Atal Bihari Vajpayee had given a blemish-free administration during his tenure as the Prime Minister.
Urging the public to given their blessings and votes to Sunil Kumar, Nalin said that Sunil Kumar has the ability to fight terrorrism.
Among those present were BJP leaders MLA Raghupati Bhat, A G Kodgi, Lalaji R Mendon, Kota Srivinivas Poojary, Srinivas Shetty, MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik, Jeevanraj Sringeri, C T Ravi, Kumaraswamy Mudigere, B S Suresh and others.