Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)

Mangalore, Apr 12: Even as Congress Lok Sabha candidate Janardhan Poojary and his party attacked BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi for hiding his wife's name for so long, the BJP on Saturday April 12 launched a counter attack alleging the Poojary himself has failled to mention his wife's name in his affidavit.

Addressing a press meet at the BJP election office, vice-president of BJP state Mahila Morcha Sulochana G K Bhat said, "Congress candidate (Janardhan Poojary) did not mention his wife's name in the affidavit which he recently filed with the returning officer of the EC. He also left the column of dependents blank. How can he question Modi's marital status when he himself has done this?"

Poojary's affidavit, a copy of which is available on Karnataka Election Commission's website, shows that Poojary has left the Part-A column on income (as per tax returns filed) of his wife and that of dependents blank. However, in the next few columns on assets and liabilities, he has given details of the assets possessed by his wife. As per the affidavit, his wife owns movable assets worth Rs 16,53,200 and immovable assets worth Rs 25,00,000.

Speaking further, Sulochana Bhat said, "Poojary is talking about reservations for Brahmins. This is nothing but vote bank politics. Why didn't he fight for their reservation when he was the union minister and MP? Earlier he used to treat Brahmins as untouchables and neglected them. What has he done for Brahmins?

"When BJP was in power in the state, it did a lot for the Billawa community. BJP government gave funds to build Sri Narayana temples in 11 places, and also gave subsidies to toddy extractors. BJP favoured the Billawas and at the same time treated everyone equally," she said.

"Congress leaders are indulding in personal attacks and questioning about Modi's wife. Even we can ask who killed Sunanda Pushkar (wife of Congress leader Shashi Tharoor). Modi left his wife to serve the society as RSS pracharak," she said.

"Women are being assaulted and harassed. Though the UPA-led government reserved Rs 1000 crore in the name of Nirbhaya helpline, it has not been implemented yet," she said.

"BJP government did a lot for women empowerment in the state. In Dakshina Kannada district there are 18,000 more female voters. They will favour BJP this time. People are fed up with inflation and hikes in diesel and petrol prices. There is no security for women. This time in BJP's manifesto emphasis has been laid on women's education and reservation. We are confident BJP will fulfil these promises if it comes to power," she said.

DC clarifies

When contacted to clarify on the issue of Poojary's affidavit, deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim, who is also the election officer, said that all details in the affidavit are in order and no anomalies were found during scrutiny. He also said that Dakshina Kannada is a civilized district of intellectuals, and hence political parties here should contest elections in a positive manner without induling in mudslinging.