Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Feb 21: As the Karnataka assembly elections are nearing, political parties are busy in identifying winning candidates for the various constituencies to form the government.

In Dakshina Kannada, winning the Puttur constituency is a major challenge for political parties, with Puttur or the coastal areas in general are termed as laboratory of Hindutava. MLAs from different parties were successful in the constituency.

Ashok Kumar Rai, a staunch follower of the BJP, who recently joined Congress spoke openly with Daijiworld 24x7's countdown programme on his decision of joining Congress, in an exclusive interview hosted by Chethan Shetty.

DW: You have quit BJP, what is the reason for quitting the BJP and joining the Congress party?

Ashok Kumar Rai: For nearly, 20 years I have worked for BJP. As a worker in the party, I have performed my duties with responsibility, as per the aspiration of BJP. I never demanded or was not an aspirant for the MLA candidature. But, my aspiration was to gain a responsible position in the party.

DW: It means that the BJP has used Ashok Kumar Rai for political gains?

Ashok Kumar Rai: Yes, but at least the party should work for common people after gaining to power. People were approaching me to get their work done. But, here efforts to get their done were not easy. The voice of party workers and common people were neglected and suppressed. Though I was a follower of the BJP for several years, for the past five years continuously I was suppressed.

DW: Who has done this to you? MLA Matandoor? Is it from the group of Sanjeev Matandoor? or Outsiders?

Ashok Kumar Rai: Puttur MLA has formed his own group. If he would have taken me or Arun Kumar Puttila and others unitedly, he has not have faced this situation. While quitting the party, Though, I brought to his notice of resignation. He never bothered. At least for the courtesy, he would have asked, me why am quitting the party. He has neglected the party workers who worked for years. At present, in Puttur BJP many leaders have come from Congress.

DW: Do you mean that gross root party workers are been sidelined in the BJP?

Ashok Kumar Rai: Yes, the party workers who have come from the cadre of the party have been sidelined. I cannot work for the poor in the BJP.

DW: Did Congress Hemanth Shetty's group had opposed Ashok Kumar Shetty's joining Congress?

Ashok Kumar Shetty: Kavu Hemanath Shetty is good person.There is no wrong with being an aspirant for the party ticket. We are good friends. But a few who guides him is not proper. If the party provides a ticket to me, I will contest. If the party provides a ticket for him, I will work for the party.

DW: You joined the Congress party after you have been assured of the ticket from Congress?

Ashok Kumar Rai: Party has done the internal survey. It is up to the party's decision on providing the ticket.

Watch full interview here: