Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Sep 15: Union minister Shobha Karandlaje responded to the arrest of Chaitra Kundapur, a Hindu activist and speaker, who is in police custody for allegedly cheating Govind Babu Poojary, an entrepreneur based in Bengaluru of Rs seven crore, and said, “I have come across the news in media. I did not have any personal connection with Chaitra. She might have clicked photos in some programme with me.

She further said, “Investigation related to the case is on. Let it be transparent. If she has not done any wrong, then there is no need to trouble her unnecessarily. Police are gathering information regarding the case. I urge for high level investigation. None of us are supporting Chaitra. We are not protecting her. All those who have done wrong should be punished.

“I did not have any direct contact with Chaitra. The accused will be punished. Hundreds of people taken photos with me. Similarly, Chaitra might have taken photos with me. She has never called me and I have never made any phone call to her,” said Shobha.

Responding to the assurance of Lok Sabha ticket to Chaitra in Udupi-Chikkamagaluru constituency, Shobha said, “The party high command will decide on the issuing of ticket. The BJP has a strong leadership. Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and J P Nadda will decide to whom the Lok Sabha ticket should be given. There is no value for anyone’s statement on ticket. If my name is tarnished, then action should be taken against such people.”

Replying to the query of Chaitra misusing the names of state and central BJP leaders, Shobha said, “The people who have misused the names of the state and central leaders of the BJP have to be inquired. Let the investigation be done also on people who have instigated those directly involved in the case. As per the current scenario, the BJP will not give ticket to people after taking money from them. In future too, such a situation will not come. The BJP is not such a party.”