Beltangady: Word war in KJP - Rift between Dhananjay Kumar, party leaders widening

Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Jun 21: KJP leader, V Dhananjay Kumar, appears to be in belligerent mood often, particularly in connection with issuing of statements on behalf of his party, which are later contradicted by other leaders. On one such occasion during May 2013, Kumar had announced in front of journalists that BJP leader, L K Advani, collected huge sums of money every month from Yeddyurappa to ensure that the latter continued in power. KJP chief, Yeddyurappa, had withdrawn this statement later, and apologized to Advani.

Kumar, presently president of the party’s publicity committee, again went overboard two days back, by claiming that the KJP was open to have an alliance with BJP in the changed scenario after the projection of Gujarat chief minister, Narendra Modi, as the possible Prime Ministerial candidate. Discordant notes are now being heard within KJP about this claim, with some stressing that this stand was not authorized by the party’s top leadership. “In the changed scenario, BJP is not an untouchable entity for us. It has been decided to be open to have truce with all parties including BJP after holding negotiations,” Kumar had declared.

KJP state executive member, H Subbaiah Shetty, had met former chief minister, B S Yeddyurappa, who is recuperating in Sri Manjunatheshwara Naturopathy Hospital in Dharmasthala Shantivana, on Thursday June 20. In a statement released to the press thereafter, he condemned Dhananjay’s statement.

“Dhananjay Kumar, since the time he entered politics, has mastered the art of issuing controversial statements by transgressing his briefs and powers. In a democratic system, an office bearer needs to discuss the subject in the meeting of party leaders and other office bearers, and ensure that the statements issued by party leaders sound unanimous, non-controversial, and similar. Being an office bearer of KJP, I hereby condemn Dhananjay Kumar’s statement,” Shetty said.

He stressed that Dhananjay Kumar is not vested with the power to decide on the issue of entering into understanding with other parties including BJP. A few months back, Kumar, by his childish statement against L K Advani, had shown the party in poor light and caused discomfiture for party leaders, he pointed out. “This mistake has been repeated again. Our workers do not expect such a behaviour from Dhananjay Kumar in future,” he stated tersely.

In addition to Subbaiah Shetty, Beltangady MLA, K Vasant Bangera, town panchayat member, Muguli Narayan Rao, Koyyur panchayat former president, Divakar, and some others met Yeddyurappa  at the naturopathy hospital to enquire about his health and well-being.