Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Apr 3: R Mohan Raj, state president, Republican Party of India (RPI), in a press conference on Monday, April 2, announced the names of 10 candidates who will contest the upcoming state elections.
Addressing media he said, “The list of 10 candidates in the first phase was announced after a state level meeting. RPI always supports students, tribal community, weaker section and women’s rights. The second list will be released in Mysuru.
“The names of ten candidates are namely Ankush Gokhale (Humanabad) from Bidar, Shekhar Havanje (Udupi) from Udupi, Parashuram Neelanayaka (Bagalkot) from Bagalkot, Shastri Hosamani (Babaleshwar) from Vijayapur, Muktama Sha Ali Nadaf (Vijaynagar) from Vijaypur, S Shivalingam (KGF, SC quota) from Kolar, R Mohan Raj (C V Raman Nagar under SC quota) from Bengaluru urban, J K Gopal (H D Kote under SC quota) from Mysuru, H B Devaraj (Piriyapattana) from Mysuru and Irappa M Kasan (Yadgiri) from Yadgiri constituency.
Accusing the Narendra Modi government of trying to change the Constitution, Mohan Raj said, “Demonetisation created a lot of confusion among the people of the country. BJP government is suppressing the weaker section and poor class. It has already executed ‘One tax, One country’ system. They might even say ‘One country, One religion’ in the coming days. The statement of Modi will disturb the Constitution of India.
“RPI led by Prakash Ambedkar should be protected. The party is working to protect the Constitution since four years across the state. Congress, BJP and JDS are quite against to the ambitions of Indian Constitution and have failed to protect it.
“RPI has decided to contest in 40 constituency assemblies. They will take a decision on alliance with CPI, CPI (M), AAP, SUCI and Welfare Party soon,” he said.
“Siddharamiah government is not favourable to suppressed class. It sends those who demand their rights to jail. JDS is always focusing on its own development,” he alleged.
“The candidates for every constituency have been selected as per the guidance of Prakash Y Ambedkar, the grandson of Dr B R Ambedkar. The party has been working as part of Indian sovereignty and the system of civilized mechanism. It has also been working for protecting the Constitution and upholding its interest. It is not a political party, but committed to bring social transformation in the society,” he said.
“Shekhar Havanje has been selected as candidate from Udupi constituency. He is a resident of Havanje village. He is involved in social service since 17 years and is accompanied by a young group. He formed a state level Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (Bhimavada) for the welfare of poor, dalits, backward classes and minorities,” he informed.
Mohan Raj urged people of Karnataka to support RPI.
Shekhar Havanje, Vishwanath, Vittal Havanje, Damayanthi, Abubakkar, Manoj and others were present.