Pics: Kevin Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD/KR)
Udupi, Aug 5: "Many are spreading rumours that I will leave the BJP. But I want to clarify, my retirement from politics will happen only from the BJP. I will work for the BJP till my last breath. This is my effort to dismiss all the rumours against me. I am a strong contender for the Lok Sabha poll ticket for the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru constituency," said Pramod Madhwaraj, former MLA and current BJP leader.
Speaking to media at his residence Madhwaraj said, "I am a strong contender for the Lok Sabha ticket from Udupi-Chikkamagaluru constituency from the BJP. I am not sure about getting the ticket as no one from the party has given me any assurance. If I become the candidate, I will work along with all the leaders and party workers for winning the elections. If someone else is granted the ticket, I will work honestly for their victory. Even though I joined the BJP many months ago, the party has not given me any major positions. But time to time, they have utilised my services like the election campaigning in Karwar, Bhatkal, Byndoor, Kundapur, Udupi, Karkala, Kaup, Shiggavi, Hanagal, Mudigere, Ranebennur, Ullal and Sringeri constituencies. I will ably handle any responsibilities given by the party.”
On the works undertaken by him during his tenure as an MLA, he said, "During my tenure, I have worked tirelessly without any corruption for Udupi constituency. Chief minister Siddaramaiah during the district review meeting recently mentioned that during 2016-18, Udupi topped the rankings in health and education sector. Udupi topped the law and order rankings too at that time, and I can proudly say that I was the district in-charge minister then. The BJP always recognizes the non-corrupt, hardworking and people-friendly candidates.”
On the current MP Shobha Karandlaje, Madhwaraj said, "She has been a central minister and is representing Udupi-Chikkamagaluru constituency. She has not yet told clearly anything about her plans for the 2024 elections. If the party gives the ticket to her, I will work for her victory as a party worker.
"I have participated in many programmes of the BJP and also been a resource speaker. There are major differences between the BJP and Congress proceedings. In the Congress, everyone will be on stage. But in the BJP, there is a disciplined way of working. Even for an important programme, only limited persons will be on stage. It is a tradition to meet the party’s top brass when we join the party. In the meanwhile, I have also met the grass-root level party workers. The more number of aspirants means that the party is on the right track. If our national leaders are strong, only then our nation will be protected," he said.
Commenting on INDIA, the opposition alliance, Madhwaraj said, "Only the bottle is new, but its contents are still the old ones. They have no response on the question of who would be their prime ministerial candidate. If they announce the PM candidate now itself, the alliance will collapse within no time. They will not declare their PM candidate till the end of the elections. There is a need for a strong leadership. At this juncture, the people of the country will not concentrate on these guarantee schemes. People need the nation to be strong and be a world leader and I am confident that the NDA and Narendra Modi will come to power again.”
He further said, "I have never felt that I made a mistake by joining the BJP. For the next 20 years, the Congress will not win any of the seats in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. I have joined the party without any conditions. The BJP does not see if you are a new or old member. Former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai also joined from another party. The BJP considers merit and ticket aspirants will be rewarded. I have never met Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar after leaving the Congress. I do not know who will be the Congress candidate for the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru constituency in the Lok Sabha polls.”