Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Jan 16: District Congress staged a protest outside the DC’s office here on Tuesday, January 16, against BJP for making use of images of legendary heroes of Tulunadu, Koti and Chennaya, in their banner during a public programme at Puttur.

Addressing the protestors, district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai said, "Congress party has always worked to uplift the poor and backward classes. Many have benefited out of the schemes introduced by the state government. We condemn the act of BJP where they misused the images of Koti and Chennaya in their banner during a public programme in Puttur to gain political mileage. They have insulted the Billawa community,"

“Congress has helped the Billawa community which includes sanctioning funds for Narayana Guru Study chair, and construction of Deyi Baidathi medicinal garden at Padumane. The state government also approved the celebration of Narayana Guru Jayanti. Further BC Road Circle was named after Narayana Guru. The BJP has used the images of Koti and Chennaya for politics. They should be ashamed for such an act," he added.

“Harish Poojary and Ashraf were murdered and the lawyers who are representing the accused in both the cases are same, which indicates that these lawyers belong to the Sangh Parivar. The state government has undertaken several development works like the new DC office, renovation of Wenlock Hospital and Lady Goschen Hospital and initiated people-friendly schemes such as Ksheera Bhagya, Anna Bhagya and many more,” Rai said.

Replying to MP Nalin Kumar Kateel’s comment where he had said that Rai is known only for breaking coconuts for development works undertaken by the Central government, Rai said, “Nalin Kumar Kateel had become an MP during the UPA government. Without doing any work he has been labeled as the number one MP, then what about the credibility of other MPs? You should remember we only laid the foundation and inaugurated the development works in Bantwal constituency,” Rai concluded.

Chief whip of Legislative Council Ivan D’Souza said, "BJP is using religion for politics. They do not have any political principles and ideologies. It is shame that BJP is using images of Koti-Chennaya. Whenever a political party is registered under election commission, the party will declare that they will maintain secularism in the country as stated in the Constitution. The Election Commission has named BJP as a national party, but they are going against the rules by sticking to religious ideologies. BJP wants to come back to power only to instigate communalism and divide people on religious lines. BJP does not deserve to get registered in the election commission and we demand BJP to be deregistered,"

“The BJP is dreaming about gaining power in the state. BJP is ruling in the Centre and they have not fulfilled any assurance so far. All they know is to speak and play cheap politics. When Paresh Mesta died, his mother claimed that Paresh did not belong to any organisation or party. But MP Shobha Karandlaje glorified Paresh Mesta as BJP representative. They play politics even with a dead body,” Ivan added.

President of district Congress Harish Kumar said, "BJP is known for creating rift between religions and also for instigating communal violence. They misused Koti Chennaya’s images just to gain votes and to satisfy a particular community. We strongly condemn this,”

Mayor Kavita Sanil, Youth Congress president Mithun Rai, former president of district Congress Ibrahim Kodijaal and others were present.