Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)
Mangaluru, Aug 11: In a stern response, Chandrahas Pandith House, the BJP block president, declared that two party members who engaged in a clandestine agreement with SDPI and extended their support to an SDPI candidate during the recent Talapady Gram Panchayat presidential elections will be promptly expelled from the BJP. These individuals will be prohibited from participating in party activities for the next six years, in accordance with directives issued by the BJP district president. Pandith House made this announcement during a press conference held at the Pandith House office on Friday, August 11.
Out of the total 24 members constituting the Talapady gram panchayat, the composition includes 13 BJP members, nine from SDPI, and one from the Congress party. All the BJP members had collectively agreed, adhering to the party's stance, to lend their support to Satyaraj as their chosen candidate. This unity was observed across the panchayat members who also rallied behind Satyaraj.
However, Mohammed Fayaz and Mohammed, two BJP members, succumbed to the allure and persuasion of SDPI, resulting in cross-voting that led to the victory of the SDPI candidate. Mohammed later acknowledged his mistake after the party acquired comprehensive details of the situation. Despite BJP's explicit instruction for members not to abstain from the elections, Fayaz was absent due to his covert agreement with SDPI.
Pandith House asserted, "The BJP vehemently opposes the principles of SDPI and offers no support to their cause. Our commitment is not driven by a thirst for power; rather, it is a matter of principle. This unfortunate incident sends an incorrect message to the public." He further explained that BJP-backed Pushpavati was the sole contender in the reserved backward class B category for the position of vice president, consequently securing an uncontested victory. The expulsion of the two members has been mandated as a response to their anti-party activities and betrayal of the party's interests.
The press conference was attended by several party officials, including district vice president Santhosh Rai Boliar, Kasturi Panja, district secretary Randeep Kanchan, Sathish Kumpala, Jayashree Karkera, Hemanth Shetty, Navin Padalpady, vice president of Talapady gram panchayat Pushpavati Shetty, and Talapady BJP president Jithendra Shetty.