DVS Gets Support from Coastal Vokkaligas, Karandlaje Blamed for Entire Episode
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Jul 10: The local unit of Vokkaligara (Gowda) Seva Sangha on Tuesday July 10 criticized the decision of BJP high command in ousting CM Sadananda Gowda without giving any reason.
Sangha’s former president K Lokaiah Gowda addressing reporters at a press meet said that Shobha Karandlaje was playing 'backdoor politics' in all these developments.
The Sangha demanded the expulsion of Karandlaje from the party and said that though she belongs to the ‘Vokkaliga’ community, she does not have Sangha’s interest at heart.
"Vokkaliga community is ‘strong’ in Sullia, Puttur and Beltangady areas and the voters in the community will teach a lesson to Karandlaje in the next election," he warned.
He added that the Sangha is backing Gowda not on the basis of his caste alone, rather, because there were no allegations of corruption against Sadananda Gowda. "Hence, the BJP high command is answerable for its decision on removing Gowda from the CM’s post," he said.
To a query on whether caste is dominating politics and if people from communities other than Lingayats (27% of the total electorate) and Vokkaligas (20% of the electorate) who voted for BJP may teach a lesson to the BJP, he alleged that former CM Yeddyurappa started caste-based politics in the state.
The Sangha urged the BJP not to drive out Sadananda Gowda from the CM’s post, and that if done so, he should be given BJP state president's post and more ministerial berths should be reserved for MLAs of the Vokkaliga community. "Otherwise the BJP will have to face the consequences," a release from the Sangha stated.
Udupi
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SM)
Udupi Jul 10: The Udupi unit of Vokkaligara Sangha called for a press meet here on Tuesday July 10 to condemn the Bharatiya Janata Party’s decision to drop D V Sadananda Gowda as chief minister.
Leelavathi, president Vokkaligara Sangha said, "Sadananda Gowda was the president of BJP party in Karnataka. He holds a clean image which is the reason why BJP made him the CM. His tenure was going on smoothly until now."
Chandrashekara, vice-president, said that Gowda has had a successful 11 months with no allegations of corruption against him. "His tenure has been put to an end without any appropriate reason," he said, demanding a valid explanation from the BJP high command.
"Shettar is a nominee of former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa because he is a Lingayat. BJP is indulging in caste-based politics. Now a Vokkaliga is being removed from the CM's chair to make way for Shettar, a Lingayat," he said.
"A sudden decision to remove the chief minister, that too according to the diktats of a corrupt senior leader Yeddyurappa, is not good administration," said the Sangha members. They urged the governor through the media not to accept Gowda's resignation and said that chief minister should not change for the next eight months.