Yashodhara Bangera
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Nov 4: BJP, taking exception to disparaging remarks passed by minister, Abhaychandra Jain, against slain Bajrang Dal activist, Prashant Poojary in Moodbidri recently, set the deadline of Sunday next (November 8) for the minister to prove these charges. In case of failure to do so, it said that the minister will have to tender apologies. In case this is also not done, the party workers will wave black flags during the visit of the district by ministers and chief minister, the party said, adding that it has decided to boycott all the programmes in which Abhaychandra Jain would be participating.
The minister had stated that Prashant was a miscreant facing over 20 criminal cases and wondered how could he build a house costing Rs 50 lac out of his meagre earnings from flower business by the streetside, during a press conference held at Chikkamagaluru.
Addressing a press conference at the Press Club in Moodbidri on Tuesday November 3, district vice-president of BJP, K P Jagadish Adhikari, felt that the remarks made by the minister have resulted in insult to flower vendors.
"Prashant Poojary was a hard working person. He had saved money by renting out car, undertaking flower decoration job, and also out of earnings from flower business which he was running with his father. He had put together his savings and housing loan of Rs 8.50 lac raised from a bank to build the house costing Rs 15 lac," Adhikari added. He claimed that the name of Prashant Poojary had been dragged into Shanti Prasad Hegde shootout case, and that this is in progress in a court. Adhikari asked the minister to list out the remaining 19 criminal cases standing against Prashant.
He further pointed out that the minister had shared dais with leaders of Popular Front of India, Secular Democratic Party of India etc. He also alleged that the minister also has business links with those who extended financial help to these people. "In the light of this, we will not take part in any of the functions in which the minister will be present. BJP will extend support to any agitation or programmes that may be undertaken by Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal against the minister," Adhikari said.
Municipal councillor, Laxman Poojary, and Beluvai gram panchayat president, Bhaskar Acharya, were present.
Bajrang Dal takes on Jain for anti-Prashant barbs, seeks apology
In an angry retort at local MLA and minister, Abhaychandra Jain's comments that murdered Prashant Poojary was a trouble-monger, faced over 20 criminal cases, and had built a house costing Rs 50 lac out of his small income, Bajrang Dal accused the minister of not doing anything to respond to the needs of the family upon the activist's murder, but now branding him as trouble-monger.
Addressing a press conference in Moodbidri on Tuesday November 3, taluk convener of Bajrang Dal, Somanath Kotian, vehemently denied that Prashant was a trouble-monger, and instead, branded Jain as a trouble-monger for his assault on Laxman from Bannadka, working as auto rickshaw driver at Mulky.
He called upon the minister to provide documentary proof in support of his claim that Prashant has over 20 criminal cases against him. He also expressed doubt as to whether the minister is trying to shield traitors by misusing his position and power.
"Minister Abhaychandra Jain, who has resorted to loose-talk about the property of Prashant's family, should come out with details of the the assets he had before becoming a MLA, and the ones he amassed thereafter. It is wrong on his part to try to appease the minorities after winning with votes of all communities. Abhaychandra Jain, who has been heaping more miseries on the grieving parents of Prashant by making false allegations, has to tender unconditional apology," he demanded.
Bajrang Dal leaders, Bharat Shetty Iruvail, Sunil Iruvail, and Santosh participated in the press meet.