Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (SP)

Mumbai, Apr 8: ‘As far as I can perceive, this meet is a prelude towards shaping India into the world’s super power. The Modi wave, which has been sweeping through right from the kindergarten children to the students of postgraduate courses, reflects the extent of patriotism they feel. I came here to support Gopal Shetty, who is fighting election from the metro. At the same time, this visit is also driven by my desire for seeking your support for my victory,"  said MP from Dakshina Kannada constituency, Nalin Kumar Kateel, who has again been contesting from this constituency on BJP ticket.

"You should enable both of us to work together in parliament and raise out voices  there. If Gopal Shetty is legendary Tuluva hero, Koti, I will function of his intimate younger brother, Chennaya. We will together hoist the flag of Dakshina Kannada district high at the Lok Sabha," he said.

He was addressing a huge meet of Tulu Kannadigas organized at Srimad Madhavendra auditorium of Sri Vittal Rukmai Temple at Dahisar (east) on Sunday April 6.

The meet was held under the aegis of GSB Sabha Dahisar-Borivli, in association with the support of various Tulu-Kannadiga organizations and institutions from the metro.

‘This huge gathering, brought together under the leadership of well-known organizer and religious volunteer, Yermal Harish, will prove to be a boon for the people of Karnataka. The country can march forward with the united efforts of experienced leaders. With your support, lotus can bloom in Lok Sabha,’ Kateel, who was the chief guest, added. Gopal C Shetty, MLA representing Borivli (west) assembly constituency, who has been fielded by BJP from Mumbai (north) Lok Sabha constituency, as well as MLA, Vinod Ghosalkar, city corporator, Balachandra Mhatre, and Ulepady Rajesh Naik, were present.

Well-known singer from the city, Ganesh Yermal, presented a programme of devotional and patriotic songs on the occasion. Renowned orator and Yuva Bharat Karnataka state in-charge, Tumkur Niketraj, delivered an address on national integration, on the subject ‘country will stand up if we get up’.

Niketraj, expressing happiness at the close bond between Kannadigas and Maharashtrians witnessed in Mumbai, advocated the need to give less importance to Engloish and to support removal of ‘Rome’ government and  installation of ‘Om’ government at the centre.

Suguna K Kamath, Aikala Harish Shetty, Karnire Vishwanath Shetty, G T Acharya, Mundappa S Payyade, K R Mallya, Girish G Salian, Rangappa C Gowda, Harry R Sequeira, N G Bhat, Shankar D Poojary, Anil K Salian, Ramesh Shetty Payyar, Ramesh Shivapura, Vasu Putran, Srinivas Saphalya, Karunakar Kannampadi, Bhoja S Hegde and others presented bouquets to Nalin Kumar and Gopal Shetty on behalf of different organizations and institutions, and extended best wishes for their success.

Padmanabha S Payyade, Sadhu Shetty, Prakash Bhat, Dr P V Shetty, Raghuram K Shetty Belgaum, Aikala Harish Shetty, Karnire Vishwanath Shetty, Mundappa S Payyade, Prakash Shetty Kalathur, K Chandrahas Shetty, Girish G Salian, Munnalayiguttu Sachchidanand Shetty and other dignitaries felicitated Yermal Harish Shetty, Manohar S Kamath, Manjunath Bannur, Raghunath N Shetty, Vijaya D Poojary, Gopal Shetty, and Nalin Kumar Kateel.

Vinod Ghosalkar felt that national integration can alone ensure progress of the country, and affectionate co-existence of people from different states with love for the country can strengthen the country.

In his address, Gopal Shetty said he is sure of getting elected, but expressed the wish to win by a big margin. He asked people of coastal Karnataka living in Mumbai, who are proceeding to their native places to spend summer holidays, to put in efforts to convince at least ten others to vote for him, before leaving. He urged the people to make Modi, a strong leader with a grand vision for the country, the next prime minister of the country.

BJP local leader, Vasant H Shetty, Suresh Shetty, Raveendra S Shetty, Karunakar S Shetty, and hundreds of other activists were present. Suguna K Kamath, G T Acharya, Rangappa C Gowda, Ramesh Shetty Payyar, and Aikala Harish Shetty,in their addresses, asked Tulu-Kannadigas to ensure victory of Gopal Shetty.

The programme began with patriotic song sung by Ganesh Yermal. Shivanand Bhat and Raghavendra Bhat rendered prayer. Organizer, Raghunath N Shetty, welcomed and presented the programme. Manjunath Bannur introduced the guests. Yermal Harish Shetty welcomed the guests by handing over bouquets. Pramod M Kamath proposed vote of thanks.