Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Apr 21: Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday April 21 said that there were no internal conflicts within the BJP over ticket distribution for the Karnataka elections, and said that if there was any misunderstanding among the aspirants, the party leadership would sort it out.

Dharmendra Pradhan was in the city to evaluate district BJP's preparations for the elections.

Addressing a press meet at the party office, he said, "The BJP in Dakshina Kannada district is all set to face the elections. The candidates will file nominations soon. There are no issues within the party over selection of candidates. It is natural to have many aspirants for BJP ticket but we have given the tickets only after various discussions at the organizational level. If there is any misunderstanding among the aspirants, we will sort it out. There is no threat of rebellion.

"Our main agenda is to defeat the Congress and transform Karnataka into a corruption-free state. The people of Karnataka are fed up with the Congress government's corruption and nepotism. There is zero development in the state. They looted the entire state and tried to fool the people.

"Now people want a change. They want an administration like that of the Modi-led government at centre. Only B S Yeddyurappa can good governance to this state," he said.

He also hailed the union cabinet's decision to give death penalty to rapists of children under 12 years. "This is a historic decision, which proves that the BJP government always stands with women and children. It ensures their safety. If BJP workers or leaders are involved in any rape or murders they will get thee same panishment. No one is above the law."

Pradhan further said that demonetisation and GST were not an issue in this elections. "People have already accepted these measures. In elections that were held in other states after the note ban and GST, people voted for us and we won those elections by big margins."

On rising prices of petrol and diesel, he said, "We are closely monitoring the petrol prices. There are technical reasons behind the hike," he said.

Mahendra Singh, Uttar Pradesh minister for rural development, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Capt Ganesh Karnik, Monappa Bhandary, and Capt Brijesh Chowta were present.

I did not deny ticket to Palemar: Nalin Kumar Kateel

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the press meet, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel denied allegations by party leader Krishna J Palemar that he was behind the ticket denial to him from Mangaluru North.

"I have immense respect for Palemar. I did not put any pressure on the party to give the Mangaluru North ticket to Dr Bharath Shetty, and I never made any attempt to deny the ticket to Palemar or Satyajith Suratkal. The party's local committees sent the names of probables to the state committee and then to the parliamentary committee, who selected the candidates. I was not involved in the ticket distribution process.

"Palemar and Satyajith Suratkal have a close bond with the party and out of love for the BJP, they expressed their disappointment. It is common. Both are state-level leaders and we are trying to reach a compromise. Hopefully things will be back on track in a few days. We are all working unitedly to bring BJP to power in the state," Nalin said.