Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Mar 17: “BJP holds power in 22 states in the country whereas Congress earlier had powers only in 18 states. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah are wonderful in working together. The countdown has begun for the chief minister of Karnataka from today,” said MP Shobha Karandlaje in a press conference at Katpadi here on Saturday, March 17.
“A bad atmosphere has been created in the state which was shown by Veerappa Moily’s tweet. There is a conflict going on between new and old generations of Congress leaders. That is making Congress party even weaker. Veerappa Moily was made to delete the tweet after 12 hours due to the pressure from the Congress president Rahul Gandhi and chief minister Siddaramaiah,” she added.
“The new generation of Congress is avoiding seniors. Now Congress is involved in ticket mafia. Earlier it was involved in tender, liquor, sand mining and drug mafias. It is high time that the people throw them from the throne and bring back BJP to power,” she said.
Further criticizing the state government, she said, “The complaints on Congress MLAs and their sons are due to lack of law and order situation in the state. We are confident that BJP will get majority in five constituencies of Udupi district,”
Speaking about the defeat in Uttar Pradesh by-elections, Shobha said, “This is not a permanent union between SP and BSP. Yogi Adityanath will win back the seat with his pro-people work,”
“Chief minister Siddaramaiah always comments on others because he does not have other work to do. He is separating the people by upholding caste and religion between communities. He cannot go to voters in the name of development because his performance has been very poor with regards to development.” she said.
“There are 30,000 Muslims population in Kaup constituency. Ask how many of them benefitted by the Shadi Bhagya of the state government? Siddaramaiah is in a state of illusion. The senior Congress leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge, Parameshwar, D K Shivakumar, Moily and others are upset with Siddaramaiah government because he is sidelining them from party activities,
“We are enjoying the dramas of Congress party in the state. Now JD(S) is a strong contender to BJP. But their presence in Udupi and other districts is irrelevant. There is no more relationship between JD(S) and BJP,” she opined.
Regarding Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s tour to Udupi and Dakshina Kannada, she said, “I do not know why he is coming here and what achievements will he display to public? There is nothing new to show in terms of development by Congress in the state,”
Commenting on Rahul’s temple run programme, she said, “It is for the sake of elections only. There is no dedication, devotion and fear of God. It is just an election gimmick. CM has already come to Udupi about six times but never visited Sri Krishna temple once. If CM goes along with Rahul Gandhi to visit temple after eating beef, it is better that he does not go there. It would hurt the feelings of Hindus. Let us see if CM goes to temple or skips the visit.”
“Rahul Gandhi is acting as per the command of CM Siddaramaiah. CM himself is behaving like the high command,” she said.
About Shiroor Swamiji Lakshmivara Theertha contesting election in Udupi as independent candidate, she said, “His nomination will not affect the BJP result. All eligible persons have right to contest election in a democratic country,”
“There is no discussion about offering BJP tickets to any candidates. BJP will chose the eligible candidate and allot him the ticket,” she added.
Prakash Shetty, BJP president, Kaup constituency, Gurme Suresh Shetty, vice president, Geethanjali Suvarna, ZP member, Shyamala Kundar, State BJP secretary, Kiran Kumar Bailoor, vice president, State backward class morcha, Sheela K Shetty, vice president of Udupi ZP, Nayana Ganesh, Veena and others were present.