Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG/KK)
Mangalore, Apr 9: Former BJP MLA Rukmayya Poojary on Tuesday April 8 denied reports that he was indirectly backing Congress candidate Janardhan Poojary and said that SMSes and messages on Whatsapp to this effect were nothing but an attempt to tarnish his image.
Addressing a press meet here on Tuesday April 8, he claimed that some miscreants have been spreading fake news against him in an attempt to spoil his political career.
Speaking at the BJP election office here, Rukmayya Poojary said, "I have been serving in the BJP for many years and have been very sincere and faithful to the principles of the party."
He said, "I have never indulged in any caste based politics. Still some Congressmen have been spreading false messages against me, which are not true by any means.”
"A complaint and an FIR have been registered against the same during the last week. The election commission and the cyber crime department are conducting the investigations to find out the root of the messages," he said.
"BJP is a party that has given lots of leaders to our district. The BJP has given good positions to the Billawa leaders, not only during elections but also at other times," he added.
"Sunil Kumar, Umanath Kotian, Prabhakar Bangera, Chandrashekar Ucchil, Thungappa Bangera, Kota Srinivas Poojary, and Billawa leaders including me, got opportunities to contest for the elections," he said.
"The leaders of Congress themselves are the prime reasons for the defeat of Janardhan Poojary during the last four terms and, this time, when Poojary asked for a seat, primary elections were carried out which was an insult by the Congress towards their veteran leader."
He added, "Narendra Modi was invited to Shivagiri- the birth place of Narayana Guru Swamy on his birth anniversary; this shows the trust and affection the gurus of Shivagiri have for Modi.
"It is not fair on the part of the Congressmen to spread fake news and messages against me, and indulge in such defamatory acts," he said.
Leaders Umanath Kotian, Prathap Simha Nayak, Ganesh Karnik, Pulasya Rai, Sanjeeva Matandoor, Ramachandra Baikampady, Shakeela Kava, Vasanth J Poojary and others were present.