Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Jul 30: Halady Srinivas Shetty, who has been elected from Kundapur assembly constituency for five times, continues to be immensely popular with his electorate. His honesty and sincerity have brought him closer to the people every time. "I will never plead with anyone to make me a minister. I do not want to be a minister just for the sake of hanging a board. If I am given a portfolio which enables me to help the people, I will accept it," he said.
In an interview with a TV channel, he said that even though he was elected five times, he has never approached anyone with a request to make him a minister. "On one occasion, they told me that they had decided to make me a minister. After I reached the venue at their invitation, they insulted me by not giving the post," he recalled.
He said that the people had cast their votes and made him and others their MLAs. Now it is the prerogative of the concerned to choose the ministers. "Lobbying for the posts, or going around leaders to reap benefits, are not my cup of tea. I can never bow before people and seek favours," he clarified. He also said that which department they will allot to him is also important and he will accept only those posts where he can use his discretion and help the people. He said if anyone gives him a box, he checks what is inside. If the thing given is of no use, he said, he leaves them behind, and added that he will follow the same principle in accepting the ministry.
Shetty said that if he becomes a minister, he will not move around in government cars and will not accept escorts or gunmen. "I am not saying this out of arrogance. I am not afraid of anyone and I am always with the voters and party workers," he added. He said he takes things with a balanced mind and is never in any delusion and he does not get shocked at adverse developments. He admitted that while most in the government are affectionate towards him, some are not.
Shetty however says that it would not be right for him to be made a minister as a representative of Bunt community, duly pointing out that he was never involved with any caste-based organizations since birth, and that people from all the communities have cast their votes for him.