Kundapur: I Quit BJP over Insult to My People, will Think of Next Step - Halady
Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (DV)
Kundapur, Jan 1: Days after resigning from BJP's primary membership, former Kundapur MLA Halady Srinivas is busy contemplating a new action plan for 2013.
On July 17 this year, Halady resigned from the post of MLA after he was denied a cabinet berth in the Shettar government after being promised one. He followed it up with his resignation from the party on December 24. On December 27, he received a letter from the BJP accepting his resignation.
Over the past 12 years as a legislator, he has been involved in several social work and welfare activities that have won him huge support from the people of Kundapur.
Speaking to Daijiworld, he said that he has been involved in rendering public service since his early days and hopes to continue the same.
"I have always been in favour of righteousness. I hope that the people of Kundapur still have trust in me. I wish to serve in the political field and keep away from caste politics," he said.
On the circumstances that led to his departure from BJP, first as MLA and then as its member, he clarified, "No one harassed me politically or socially. I resigned from BJP not because of any 'insult' to me, nor for being denied ministerial berth, but for the insult to the people of my constituency. I walked out from BJP as that is what my constituency people desired, and even my next decision in forthcoming will depend on them," he said.
He rubbished talks about his possible sabbatical from politics, and said, "I will never resign from politics as I have certain social responsibility. Whatever decision I take affects my constituency people, and hence my future decisions will be responsible ones."
There have been rumours that Halady might join either KJP or Congress. However, he declined from commenting on the issue, saying, "I cannot keep on changing my decisions like other leaders, and hence I need time to think over this matter. I hope that all will be well in this new year."
Regarding groupism in the Udupi district politics that literally split the party into Halady supporters and the rest, even leading to postponement of ZP elections, he said, "I am firm in my decision; I will not indulge in groupism in politics. Every zilla panchayat member won through fair election. Only they have the right to select the president and the vice-president of zilla panchayat, and not me. I will not interfere in this issue."