Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Nov 9: Many die hard followers of former union minister B Janardhana Poojary left the Congress and joined the BJP en masse on Friday, November 8. They were extended a warm welcome by BJP state president and MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel.
Congress leaders like Arun Coelho, Congress spokesperson and INTUC state general secretary Shashiraj Ambat, former mayor Purandaradas Kulur, and over 50 Congress activists from Kankanady ward were welcomed into the BJP by handing over BJP flag and draping the party shawl around them. Youth Congress general secretary Varunraj Ambat, Congress workers Bharatish Ameen, Prakash Garody, Jayaraj Shetty Naguri have joined the BJP.
B Janardhana Poojary
Speaking on the occasion, Kateel said that Congress leaders and workers have been frustrated at the functioning style of the Congress leaders and have embraced BJP, having been impressed by the administrative style of chief minister, Yediyurappa, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that in a few days, many important leaders will be joining the BJLP.
Former MLA Yogeesh Bhat, BJP district vice president Nitin Kumar, Ravishankar Mijar, general secretary Sudarshan Moodbidri, leaders like Harikrishna Bantwal, Yashpal Suvarna and other BJP leaders were present.
Speaking after joining the BJP, Shashiraj Ambat said that principles and policies are not valued in the Congress and that he and others like him were forced to stay there by pointing out at others as communalists. He said that Janardhana Poojary and his supporters have been suppressed in the Congress in a systematic fashion. He said that in the coming days, more Congress leaders would be joining the BJP in an exodus. Arun Coelho said he is a fan of Janardhana Poojary and that he was frustrated at the fact that he has been sidelined and neglected by migrant leaders who have taken over leadership of the party. He said he has resigned from the membership and post in the Congress because of casteist politics followed by the current leadership of the Congress.