Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (KR)

Udupi, Mar 26: For the first time, after the election dates were declared and the central BJP leadership announced its candidate for the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Lok Sabha constituency, one of the strong seat aspirants K Jayaprakash Hedge openly spoke to the media people on Monday March 25.

Jayaprakash said, “I have already said that whoever may be the candidate, I will accept the decision of the party. Personally I have not tried to get the seat but my name reached till the last meeting because of the efforts of the party workers and my followers. During this process media people have also supported.”

For the question how the followers will react about this decision, he said, “All might be going through pain inside and it is common. But the statement that hurt me most is that I came to BJP after visiting all the parties. I agree that I have been in different parties on different occasions, but I have never broken any party and started a new party. I have worked with commitment in any particular party where I was in.

“When I was expelled from the Congress party, I did not approach BJP, but BJP only invited me and I have joined here after discussion with the followers. Before making any such statements they should think as to who has broken the party and who has started the new party. But wherever I was in, I have committed and worked for the welfare of the party.”

About the responsibilities in the coming elections, Hedge said, “During the MLA elections of last year, I was in the state BJP Election Manifesto Team and I have attended all the meetings without fail. About current elections, till now no assignments are given by the party. If they give, then I will try my best to deliver.”

For the query on whether Shobha has asked the support after the announcement of the ticket, Jayaprakash said, “She has contacted me once, but I could not speak to her. If she contacts me again, then we will sit and speak. She also gave some statement that has come recently. But who is Manju? Who is Shrinivasa Prasad? Who is Umesh Jadhav? So it is better to sit and discuss. As we are in same party, we need to work together. So I request the media people not to create any confusion.

“About the development work, I have nothing to say. But if you ask anything about my work, then I can share about it. Recently I have gone through the Kendriya Vidyalaya issue and it was sanctioned during my tenure as MP.”

For the query on any assurance in the future, he said, “State president has spoken and I will not disclose here with the media. As the president said, I am a worker of the party and as a worker I will try to give my best.

“When Shobha openly said through media that she will not context this election then I, Yashpal and Vilas Nayak were the aspirants for the ticket and there is no harm in trying for the ticket.

For the offer from the JD (S) Jayaprakash said, “For my sake I cannot take some decisions, but I have to think about my followers also.

About the ‘Go Back Campaign’ on Shobha that started in the twin districts, JPH said, “It did not happen in one or two places. If the leaders of the both the districts would have taken care, in advance, then this would not have happened. Shobha only said that the campaign was started by the Congress and JD (S). I will not comment anything more on it.”

About the future responsibilities, JPH said, “My followers know that I can do any work without any power and they will stand by me. Till now, one central leader spokenwith me. This is not the right time to discuss, as it is election time. Till now any central leaders did not contact me personally.”

About the photo in the flex banners, he clarified that “By putting one photo on the poster, I will not become a big or a small leader. Making place in the minds of the people will make the real difference and I have witnessed the same.”

Jayaprakash further said, “During the 2014 MP elections, till the last moment, I was sure that I will a clear margin because there was no strong opponent that time in the BJP. But the sudden changes and Modi wave factor changed everything in a short period.”

About the candidature of Pramod Madhwaraj, Hegde said, “He has got the ticket from the JD(S). So he is the official candidate of JD (S). There might be less JD (S) workers.”

“When asked about T J Abraham’s recent visit came to the city, Jayaprakash said, “When there was no hearing why he will come to Udupi? If I have planted him, then he would be in Udupi only. If any statement is given on me, then only I will react. Otherwise, for everything I will not react,” he added.

“I am grateful to all those who have supported me. I am grateful to all the workers for their love and affection they have shown on me,” concluded Jayaprakash.