Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Aug 25: The urns of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajapayee were brought near Shastri circle, here and were received with an emotional welcome by BJP leaders and citizens. Udupi Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje placed them in an open vehicle and offered them floral tributes.

Shobha Karandlaje said that late Atal Bihari Vajapayee had the reputation of money from Delhi reaching every village and stressing on education. “Those in the opposition party also confided in him which is a reflection of his quality of having no enemies. He avoided politics of jealousy and encouraged the opposition party when they did noble work.

“He had filled Indira Gandhi with courage and asked her to fight like goddess Durga during India and Pakistan war. Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajapayee is not with us but his work, inspiration and development are always with us. We will offer equal respect to the urns as we would respect him in person.”

Opposition party leader Kota Srinivasa Poojary, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLA Haladi Srinivas Shetty, district president Mattar Rathnaker Hegde, member of state executive Kiran Kodgi, BJP leaders Udaya Kumar Shetty, Kundapur block president Kadoor Suresh Shetty, zilla panchayat members and local leaders were present.

The urns will be taken in procession in open vehicle from Kundapur via Udupi, Kaup and Hejmady and will be immersed in Uppinangady, where Natravathi and Kumaradhara rivers originate.