Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Dec 6: State Youth Congress president, Krishna Byregowda, accused the BJP of instigating the youth to take up the battle in the name of Hindutva and thus making them to suffer behind bars. He charged the saffron party leaders of snatching power by making use of the youngsters to their advantage.

He was speaking at the mega convention of Congress workers organized at Hiriyadka town in the district on Sunday December 5. On this occasion, a programme to install newly elected office bearers of the Congress party was also held.

“The coastal districts have always been known as the districts of intelligent people. It comes as a surprise as to how has the BJP been able to hold sway over them. Perhaps, the word, ‘Hindutva’ has made them to support the BJP. Do you think we are non-Hindus?” he questioned. He also reminded that none of the Hindu scriptures have exhorted people to develop animosity about other religions.

Congress leader, Dinesh Gundu Rao, said that the people had handed over power to the BJP to see whether they would be able to perform better, but accused the BJP of getting completely drenched in corruption. He predicted total rout for the BJP in the next election.

Former legislative council chairman, B L Shankar, inaugurated the convention. Former ministers, Vasant V Salian, K Jayaprakash Hegde, former MP, Vinayakumar Sorake, MLC, K Pratapchandra Shetty, MLA, Gopal Bhandary, former district Congress president, M A Gafoor, and a number of local leaders were present.

Kaup north block Congress president, Sudhir Hegde, welcomed. The decision of the district Congress president, K Gopal Poojary, who was slated to preside over the programme, to stay away, raised many eyebrows. In spite of repeated announcement in the public address system that Poojary would arrive soon, he did not come. Quarters close to Poojary said that he had to rush to Bangalore in view of an unsavoury incident in a hotel in Bangalore belonging to him.