Udupi: Kota Poojary Ad in Paper - Halady Clarifies, Demands Answers
Pics: Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SM)
Udupi, Jan 3: Former Kundapur MLA Halady Srinivas Shetty, who recently resigned from the primary membership of BJP, called a press meet here on Thursday January 3 to clarify matters regarding an advertisement that appeared in a Kannada daily the same day.
The advertisement was published under the name of 'Kota Srinivas Poojary Fans Club' and was in support of muzrai minister Kota Srinivas Poojary. However, though it condemned the recent incidents of attack on Poojary's car and tearing down of his posters, there was no direct mention of Halady Srinivas Shetty anywhere in the content of the adverstisement.
Addressing the press meet all alone, Halady said that the advertisement points at groupist politics and hence there was a need for him to clarify on the issue.
"I came to power with the support of all castes of people and not by any one, hence I don't have the right to support a particular caste, even if it is my own. I am not a member of RSS either," he said.
"I need an explanation on the contents of the advertisement," he demanded.
"Social justice is important for me. It is illegal to print any sort of notice without the name and address of any organization or individual to take the responsibility. In our country any advertising which creates barriers between groups is not right, especially keeping the forthcoming assembly elections in mind," he said.
"Quitting BJP was not a big deal as I had already resigned as MLA earlier. I will continue to serve the society, if not as a politician, at least as an individual. I did not want to continue with BJP anymore for many reasons," he added.
Revealing his future plans, Haladi said he wants to serve people. "Power is not important. I will come to a decision after discussions with my well-wishers and also people around me. I also want to introspect and see what is better for me. Whatever decision I take, I will inform the media. I may or may not continue in politics. My decision will be the result of thorough study and judgment," he said.
He also dismissed rumours that he was joining Congress or KJP and said, "Any party that claims I have joined them is cent percent wrong. Every party has contacted me, but I have not decided yet on my next move."