Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Feb 10: At the meeting of his supporters and fans held on Wednesday February 9 at the auditorium of Hotel Kediyoor here, veteran politician, U R Sabhapathy, got their nod for his plans to join hands with the JDS. Sabhapathy, who has changed parties even in the past, was with the Congress of late, till keeping away from political activities since the last three years. 

After getting the nod of his supporters through enthusiastic applause, he said that he would be visiting Bangalore on Thursday. He invited his supporters to come to Bangalore to take part in a function being held there to welcome him into the JDS fold, once date for the same is made known. He also revealed plans to tour the constituency by foot, to garner support for the JDS, and then hold a mega convention in which over 10,000 party activists will be brought together.

Sabhapathy said he had to keep away from politics for some time, as he found it hard to keep date with money-based politics. “I decided to join the JDS, after JDS state president, H D Kumaraswamy asked me to join his party and strengthen the leadership of that party, during his visit to Kollur recently. Youngsters, having been fed up with rampant corruption and other ills plaguing the Congress and the BJP, are getting attracted to the JDS. At the same time, we do not want to deride other political leaders for getting popular support. We want to change the style of political leadership, by giving a refreshing leadership to the masses,” he explained.

He said he, along with many others, had worked for the victory of Oscar Fernandes in the past, even neglecting the need to consume food and water. How can an MP, who had declared total assets of six crore rupees a few years ago, can now claim that he possesses assets worth Rs 15 crore, he questioned. Taking umbrage to the tendency of people to brand the JDS as ‘father and sons’ party’, he said Yeddyurappa’s son is an MP, and as such, it too is can be branded a party of the father and the son.

JDS district president, Deviprasad Shetty, state youth JDS leader, Dilesh Shetty, women’s wing president, Kenchanur Shalini Shetty, Basheer Bykampady and several others praised Sabhapathy for the path of friction he has alwlays chosen with the sole aim of people’s welfare. V K Udyavar compered the programme.