Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Oct 16: “There is no dearth of people, at any given time, who want to create controversy,” said former prime minister and JD(S) Supremo Deve Gowda making a reference to Pramod Madhwaraj who had said on Saturday during a programme that Rama and Krishna were non vegetarians.
Gowda was speaking to media at Circuit House here on Sunday, October 16.
Gowda who is city for the party work of JD(S) said “I have come here to strengthen the party. I am travelling to various districts as an ordinary party member. My party is not zero party. If anybody proves that any of the taluk in the state does not have a single party activist, then I will retire from politics. I want to unite my party workers. I admit that we are not a strong party presently. There is no doubt that our members have some doubts. Our leaders themselves should be blamed for this.”
“I have talked to the discipline committee regarding the party elections which are supposed to take place by November. I have also discussed with the concerned persons about forming coordination committee in every taluk.” Gowda added.
When asked about the statement of Jignesh Mewani during Udupi Chalo Jatha last week concerning the gheroing of Krishna Math for the practice of Pankti Bedha, Gowda said “Anybody can come to Math with the devotion of Krishna. We believe in different incarnations of Krishna. Who asked them to go to a place of Pankti Bedha? If they do not like the place, let them not go there. Nobody has been forced to eat at the Math. Thousands of devotees come here. The number is never less to criticize the Math. “
“People like me who believe in God, go to temples. Every person has his own beliefs and the faith is personal. Anybody can debate anything. I also know how to debate. But what is the need?” Gowda questioned.
Asked about former minister Srinivasa Prasad joining Congress, he said “I do not force anyone. I know him very well for years. I do not try to weaken any other party.”
While asked why he is not visiting Krishna Math this time, he said “I do not want to add anything to the ongoing controversy. I have not come here for that. I have faith in God.”
Sayyed Safiualla Saheb, Dakshath Shetty, Shalini Shetty and others were present.