Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Jan 26: “No one has a chance to grow in stature in the BJP. Someone manages the show with a stick in his hand. Subdued by his arrogance and high-handed attitude, others nod to what he says or orders,” commented expelled BJP leader, Urimajal Rama Bhat.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday January 25, Bhat felt that this situation will continue, as long as the Sangh Parivar has a say in the affairs of the BJP.

“The rulers have forgotten a sense of responsibility. They are extending the same kind of treatment they had earlier meted out to former MLA, Shakuntala Shetty, to others in the party. Loyal workers, dedicated people, those who worked hard to build the party and those who try to stand by democratic principles, are being sidelined by the BJP leadership,” he alleged.

Bhat said that Shakuntala Shetty had been denied a ticket for the reason that she had attended the local Kambala in the company of Muttappa Rai, holding it as a grave mistake. “Now, the BJP leaders are competing with each other to be in the company of Muttappa Rai, and the husband of the present MLA shares dais with Muttappa in press conferences. How can Muttappa Rai become a villain for Shakuntala Shetty and a hero for Prasad Bhandary?” he questioned.

He accused the RSS leaders of have tried to snatch away the chairmanship of Mangalore Urban Development Authority from Madhav Bhandary, as they did not approve of him. “They wanted to give the position to an entrepreneur instead of Bhandary, and the Chief Minister was asked to make this change. Madhav Bhandary got this post, as the CM refused to budge,” he claimed, adding that this was an example for the RSS interference.

Rama Bhat reiterated his earlier allegation, that Shakuntala Shetty and those close to her did not find favour with the BJP leaders, as she could not collect Hafta for the party.

Former MLA, Shakuntala Shetty, and Vinayachandra were present at the press conference.