Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Oct 31: "I know how to choose the party which I intend to join. I do not need any lessons from Dakshina Kannada district Congress president, Harish Kumar. I warn him to stay clear of me," warned expelled Congress leader, Harikrishna Bantwal. He was addressing a press conference held here on Monday October 30.

Harikrishna vowed never to return to Congress henceforth, asserting that he is an Indian Billawa, and not 'Congress Billawa'. Terming Harish Kumar as a snake without teeth and pickle without salt, he questioned the eligibility criteria on the basis of which he was elevated to the post of district president of Congress.

"When Janardhana Poojary was Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, he had given you party ticket to fight from Beltangady constituency. While other party candidates won, you were the only one who got defeated, at the hands of Vasant Bangera. This proved that you have no standing there. You did not question district in-charge minister when he used abusive words at Poojary for issuing ticket to you. You remained quiet when Poojary was barred from visiting Congress office. You stayed stoic when Vinay Kumar Sorake was dropped from the ministry. Only when Poojary was in power did Bilawas got proper representation," he concluded. He felt that Harish got his position because of his caste. He questioned Harish why did he get angry when the former organized meeting of Billawa leaders. At the same time, he said he had joined BJP not because of the lure of any post, and warned that he will not spare anyone who attacks him and that he is not bound to obey Rai, Oscar etc.

Harikrishna Bantwal wondered why is the Congress government in the state continuing with celebrating Tipu Jayanti in spite strong opposition from the people. He felt that the people would have appreciated the government if it had decided to celebrate birth anniversaries of great people like Adul Kalam, Santa Shishunala Shariff, Mirza Ismail, or Shirdi Saibaba.

"I have explosive material about Congress. I am gathering documentary proof. Within the next three to four days I will reveal this scandal. It will inflict considerable damage on Congress party," he predicted.

Social activists, Harishchandra Kotian and Chandresh were present.