Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Apr 24: Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa has sought a public apology from MP Rahul Gandhi for making derogatory statement against the Kannadigas, by alleging that grants, if sanctioned to Karnataka, get misused. He was addressing an election meeting, campaigning for the BJP candidate from Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha constituency Nalin Kumar Kateel, at B C Road on Thursday April 23.

He alleged that Rahul Gandhi, who is yet to mature as a politician being a recent entrant into politics, had stated in a recent programme in Bangalore, that he would sanction Rs 11,000 crore for the development of Bangalore. "I know this amount will be misused. Still I will ensure that this amount will be sanctioned," was the comment made by Rahul, he added. By saying so, he has insulted the people of Karnataka, Yeddyurappa said.

"The credibility which the Congress Party of the pre-Independence era enjoyed got completely eroded after Independence. Lack of honest persons and lack of political will on the part of the Congress leaders have been delivering a lethal blow to country's development," Yeddyurappa commented and urged the people to ensure victory of the BJP candidates to get over this problem.  He predicted that out of the 17 Lok Sabha seats from the state which went to the polls on Thursday, the BJP will corner 14. Acknowledging that Brahmasri Narayana Guru is the spiritual guide for the whole of Hindu Society, he expressed confidence that the development projects and other activities the BJP government undertook will bring votes for it.  He alleged that the country is not safe in the hands of the Congress Party, which has functioned in a way that is detrimental to the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the country.

BJP candidate Nalin Kumar Kateel, district in-charge minister Krishna J Palemar, party leaders Ganesh Karnik, Sulochana Bhat, Rukamaya Poojary, Nagaraj Shetty, Tungappa Bangera, Kaiyoor Narayan Bhat, B Yashoda, Babu Mogera, Devadas Shetty , N B Abubakker, Gangadhar Gowda, Appaiah Maniyani, Ramadas Bantwal, Chennappa Kotian etc., were present.

In his speech, Nalin Kumar Kateel promised to reopen the cases relating to the murders of Shivappa Bangera and Bharati from Bantwal, which the vested interests have been trying to give a decent burial.

On this occasion, Panemangalore Block Congress vice president Lokanath Shetty and several others joined the BJP.

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During the speech, the Chief Minister waved at Ramanath Rai, who was viewing the election campaign proceedings of the BJP from the window of the Congress Party office located in front of the venue, while candidate Nalin Kumar Rai addressed him in his speech.