Silvester D' Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (EP)
Udupi, March 13: "After working as an activist in the Congress party shouldering various responsibilities for the last eighteen years, the recent policies in the party have irked me. In view of the developments, I am leaving the party and joining BJP in the presence of former Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa", said Deepak Kumar Shetty, president of Udupi district Farmer's association.
Speaking at the news conference held at Kundapur Press Club, on March 13, he said that he has worked hard for the party in different capacities. "I have neither indulged in anti party activities nor have I been unfaithful while in it. Yet the party has discarded me. As I am hurt by the developments, I am leaving the party", he said.
"I have formed an association of farmers and am solving their problems. I had not worked for any party in particular during last Legislative Assembly elections. As my wife is a member of Zilla Panchayat, she had gone for election campaigns. The Congress leaders threatened to expel me from the party and caused mental agony. Therefore I decided to leave the party and after obtaining the opinion of farmers, have decided to join BJP. 90% of farmer members have consented to my decision. Though I am joining BJP, I am not pressurizing other members to join BJP. Our farmer's association is an independent entity", he said.
"Farmer's association needs a platform. Most of the farmers in the country, hope NDA to come to power. Former chief minister Yeddyurappa is a leader of farmers and has worked for them. I have joined BJP to fight for the farmers under his leadership", he added.
"I am not expecting any high positions in BJP. I will not be contesting in Zilla Panchayat or Taluk Panchayat elections during the coming days. I will be working for the farmers.
I have worked as a member of Taluk Panchayat, APMC president, member of Grama panchayat and its president and worked for the unity of the party but the party has not identified my work", he said.