Pics: Joshwa D'souza
Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru (JD)

Mangaluru, Jun 21: “Congress party must clarify if they want the votes of Billava community in the coming elections. If they want, they must appoint Byndoor MLA Gopala Poojary or Belthangady MLA Vasanth Bangera as ministers in the state government,” said Harikshina Bantwal, spokesperson of Rashtriya Billava Mahamandala.

Addressing media persons in the press club on Tuesday June 21, he said, “Billava community has a population of 8 to 9 lac in the undivided Dakshina Kannada district. Since independence, Billava community has been supporting Congress party. Of late, representatives of party are trying to corner the leaders of the Billava community and following ‘use and throw’ policy.”

“Sorake has lost his ministerial post. We contacted Siddu and asked about Sorake's faults and he said that there was nothing wrong with Sorake. When asked for the reason for his removal, he said that any decision related to undivided Dakshina Kannada one has to speak to Oscar Fernandes. So he is the one behind the scene,” he said without naming him.

“The community has received a national level leader in Janardhana Poojary. He could have been given the Rajya Sabha ticket instead of Ram Moorthi. None of the state congress leaders know about Rama Moorthi. It seems like it is an effort to suppress the Billava leaders.”

“We want the answer for ousting Sorake from his ministry. We demand that Byndoor MLA Gopala Poojary or Belthangady MLA Vasanth Bangera be appointed as ministers in the state government and Janardham Poojary must be given a post in AICC.”

“If Christian community can be given an MLC post even when there is an MLA, why can’t the Billavas demand a minister's post to its leaders?” he questioned.

Vice presidents of Mahamandala Prabhakar, Peethambara Heraje, general secretary Mohan Das were present.