Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje/Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JD)

Mangaluru, Aug 21: BJP president Amit Shah who arrived in the city by Kocchuveli-Chandigarh Express at 4:30 am at Kankanady railway junction here was accored a grand welcome by the district BJP unit.

District BJP president Sanjeev Mathandoor welcomed the party's president with a garland followed by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLA CT Ravi, former minister Krishna J Palemar and others while the women welcomed him with the 'aarathi' and 'tilak'.

As the BJP leaders and workers had gathered in thousands and security was an issue, Shah did not speak to the crowd and but acknowledged them by waving. He was then taken to a private hotel in the city.

Speaking to reporters Sanjeeva Matandoor said, "The party workers have welcomed the BJP president Amit Shah in large numbers on behalf of the district BJP and people of the district and in doing so, have created history along with MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, state secretary Arun Kumar, state chief secretary C T Ravi, former minister Krishna Palemar and others."

When asked about the opposition to oragnise the party's programme in the University auditorium, he said, "This is a programme under the name 'Freedom-70, Remembering the Sacrifice' and it has been organized o remember the sacrifices of all the martyrs of our freedom struggle. There is no political party or political flag involved in this. It is a public programme. This has been organised following the call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a part of nation-wide 'Tiranga' rally and will be held in Konaje Mangala Gangotri."

Amit Shah will address the public in Mangala Gangotri campus of Mangaluru University, Konaje after flagging off the Tiranga rally at Pumpwell later on. He will also visit Ullal where he will garland the statue of Rani Abbakka.

As per sources, BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa and MP Shobha Karandlaje are also in the city but they did not come to the railway station to welcome the party's president.

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