Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Mar 14: Former MP Jayaprakash Hegde, who recently joined BJP, was accorded a warm welcome by the party leaders and members at the BJP office at Kadiyali here on Tuesday March 14.
BJP Udupi district president Mattaru Ratnakar Hegde welcomed J P Hegde with a bouquet and handed over the party flag to him. This was Hegde's first visit to the district after joining BJP last week.
Speaking to reporters, J P Hegde initially committed a faux pas, talking like he did while in Congress, addressing 'block Congress president' at the start. Realizing his error, he quipped, "It will take some time to change from my memories with the Congress."
Stating that the past with Congress was behind him and he had a new beginning to look forward to in the BJP, he said, "I will move forward retaining the sweet memories and leaving behind the bitter memories.
"Many mediapersons have asked me about my parting with Congress. I want to clarify that I did not leave the Congress, they expelled me. Joining the BJP was an informed decision. I had deliberated the matter thoroughly, and my friends and supporters who have been with me throughout my political career too advised me to do the same. So, in a way, it was their decision too," he said.
He also remembered the late Dr V S Acharya, who was a BJP leader and had served as home minister during BJP's regime in the state.
"When J H Patel was the chief minister, I had put pressure on him to declare Udupi as a district. Today it has seen a lot of development, which otherwise would not have been possible if it had remained a taluk," he added.
Recalling his association with the current BJP district president Mattaru Ratnakar Hegde, he said, "Mattaru Ratnakar Hegde was my colleague in JD(S) and we had worked together under Ramakrishna Hegde. So he is a friend. In fact, I have worked with several current BJP members while we were in other parties, so they are not stangers to me. They are my friends."
He also informed at on March 25, several of his supporters and followers will join the BJP formally in the presence of party leaders B S Yeddyurappa and R Ashok in a convention to be organized in Udupi.
Commenting on the 2018 Assembly elections, J P Hegde said, "The BJP aims to win 150 seats in the state. It is my responsibility to ensure that it happens. I will work not only in Udupi but concentrate on building the party in Chikkamagaluru too, where I had worked as MP and where I have several friends and supporters. I will unite them together."
Asked if joining the BJP would result in any shift in his principles, he said, "No, I will always follow the same principles that I have always cherished and followed."
He also said that he would as active in the BJP as he was in the Congress.
"I will speak in detail in a press meet next week," he concluded.
Former MLA Raghupati Bhat, member of working committee Udaykumar Shetty, district BJP Mahila
Morcha president Sheela K Shetty, Dinakar Babu, Suresh Shetty Kadur, Yashpal Suvarna and Naveen Kutyaru were present.