Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB/EP)
Udupi, Feb 13: Pramod Madhwaraj, minister of state for Fisheries, Youth Services and Sports and district in-charge, responding to a barrage of questions from the reporters after IT raids on fishing industrialists said that nobody can target him. “I am not afraid of being targeted by anybody. Nobody can target me except the almighty,” he said.
When asked if the union government is targeting only Congress leaders or if it is an attempt by the BJP to attract leaders into the party fold, Madhwaraj said that he pays taxes sincerely and follows the law of the country. “I have not taken money from anybody for elections. I have returned the money received for funding. I do not need it,” he said.
Rubbishing rumors aside, he said, “The news that I am joining BJP is spread by the media as they have the freedom.”
Regarding the proposed fishermen's conference in the coastal region by Amit Shah, he said that Amith Shah remembers fishermen and Hindus only when elections are nearing.
“Fishermen are not fools. Why does the union government not provide diesel and kerosene on subsidised rates to fishermen, the way state government does? The state government deposits Rs 8 per liter of diesel to the accounts of fishermen every month. On what basis is the conference proposed? What good have they done for the fishermen community during the last four years?” he asked.
Speaking on hard Hindutva and what is soft Hindutva, Madhwaraj asked, “Is killing people Hindutva? Are members of the Congress not Hindus? Do we not go to temple? Should only BJP members go to temples? Is there a restriction in the constitution against Congress members going to temples? Are we untouchable?”
On Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s temple visits, Madhwaraj asked, “Did Rahul start going to temple day before yesterday? Sonia Gandhi performs Ganahoma during every elections before submitting nomination papers. Is it not known to all?”