Daijiworld Media Network - Sullia (SP)

Sullia, Mar 31: At a time when the BJP feels that it has inherited the Jan Sangh legacy, ex-MLA and Swabhimani Vedike honorary president Urimajal Ram Bhat has decided to contest the Lok Sabha election from Mangalore as a candidate of Bharathiya Jan Sangh, announced ex-MLC Anna Vinaychandra. He was speaking at a press conference held at the Press Club here on Monday March 30.

"Ram Bhat sacrificed a lot for BJP's cause. Now, a need is felt to defeat the Congress as well as the BJP which is following in the footsteps of the Congress. All of us, like-minded people will come together and build the Jan Sangh under the leadership of national president Balraj Madhok on the basis of the original policies and principles again," he claimed.

Ram Bhat will file nomination papers on April 3. His election manifesto will be brought out soon, he said. Vinaychandra also expressed the confidence that many workers and leaders who are frustrated after being with the BJP for long, lawyers, leaders of cooperative movement etc., will join the Jan Sangh soon.

Anna said, some super powers who are wielding enormous clout, have ensured that the home minister does not have a proper say in his department. About the shifting of D V Sadanand Gowda to Udupi, he said either he was forced to go there or he himself had retreated, having lost the courage to fight the election from Mangalore. He further clarified that all doors of reconciliation with the BJP have been closed.

He criticized the BJP of being a dump of rejected leaders, devoid of value-based politics and internal democracy. The BJP is losing interest in its loyal workers and it is turning into another Congress Party, he alleged.