Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Dec 4: Former MP Jayaprakash Hegde, who may be contesting for the upcoming MLC polls as an independent candidate if he is not given ticket from Congress, on Thursday December 3 said that he was hurt at being called a 'newcomer' in the party. The remark had been made by Rajya Sabha MP Oscar Fernandes.

Addressing a meeting with his supporters at Mother Palace hotel here, he said, "If we have the humility to accept our mistakes, there will not be any differences in the party. I am pained to hear Oscar Fernades calling me a newcomer. I have been working for Congress from 7 years and four times I have contested, out of which I have won once. How can I be a newcomer? Sonia Gandhi had herself said nobody who works for Congress is a newcomer."

He further said, "I decided to contest only after Pratapchandra sent a letter to all saying he would not contest. I supported Congress even when I was in JD(S). I have maintained a clean image."

Urging the party workers to be united and commenting on the opposition to Pratapchandra Shetty probable nomination, he said, "Party workers need not complain and approach the police. There was no need to take this issue to the high command. I had told party workers to go and speak to Pratapchandra and get his opinion. He had said he would support the youngsters in the party.

"It is our duty to support party workers. I have never hurt any party worker but I am hurt this time. Congress has welcomed me. How can I be a newcomer?" he added.

Referring to Byndoor MLA Gopal Poojary's comment on a TV channel that Congress had decided to field Pratapchandra Shetty as the MLC candidate, he said, "How can he say that so openly when the decision had not been taken yet? I felt like an orphan, but then seeing the supporters here today I am happy and do not feel like orphaned anymore."

He also urged his supporters not to give heed to any rumours being circulated in WhatsApp and Facebook, saying that they were aimed at creating differences in the party. "If you get any such message, clarify with me directly," he added.

"There should be internal democracy in the party, then there will not be any differences of opinion and no personal grudges," he opined.

Birti Rajesh Shetty, who resigned as Brahmavar block Congress president in April this year, said, "Jayaprakash Hegde got to be Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP only for one year, and in his short tenure, he did as much as possible. How much can one person do in a year? He should get more opportunities. It does not matter how many years one has spent in the party, what matters is the work one has done."

Taluk panchayat member and Congress activist Umesh Cherkadi in his address attacked Pratapchandra Shetty and blamed him for the differences in the party. He also opined that Oscar Fernandes should have intervened to solve the issues.