Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JD)

Mangaluru, Dec 7: Congressman Harikrishna Bantwal, an MLC aspirant from Dakshina Kannada-Udupi constituency, on Monday December 7 criticized his party's decision to field sitting MLC Pratapchandra Shetty again for the polls and said that he was ready to withdraw his own nomination if the party were to replace Pratapchandra with an able and active candidate.

Addressing a press meet here, Harikrishna Bantwal said, "Pratapchandra Shetty is an inactive and passive candidate. Despite being member of the Legislative Council, he has not visited even a single panchayat in the Dakshina Kannada district. Not even once has he taken part in the meetings of the Mangaluru City Corporation. By giving the B-form to him the party leaders have proved that they support the sleeping members and not the active workers," he alleged.

"Even during the MP elections and MLA elections, Pratapchandra Shetty had shut himself away from the election campaigns. When the workers approached him for help, he had locked his house and had relocated himself. How can such candidate work for the betterment of the party and the society?" he questioned.

"He had sent a letter to every leader of the Congress in the undivided Dakshina Kannada district saying that as per his promise during the previous elections, he would not contest the current elections. Accordingly, I had spoken to all the leaders of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi after which I decided to contest the elections. If he had not written this letter, I would not have thought of contesting," he explained.

"It was clearly mentioned in the letter that he is a leader of credibility and responsibilty. Where is his credibility now?" he questioned.

"No candidates from Dakshina Kannada district"

He pointed out that none of the political parties have candidates from Dakshina Kannada district. "I do not know why our district has been neglected so much. Compared to Udupi, Dakshina Kannada has about 1000-odd more voters, which can act as a strength.

"We do not have able leadership in our district. Communal harmony is something we lack here. If I win, I will work to promote communal harmony. There is still time to issue another B-form. The leaders have taken a wrong decision. Still there is time to correct the mistake. If the Congress party wishes for new leadership, they should issue the B form to me, but even if the party does not choose me, I will file my nomination on December 9. I call upon the party workers to listen to their conscience and not the leaders as this is the question of party's survival."

He accused Congress leader Oscar Fernandes of forcing party leaders to issue the B form to Pratapchandra Shetty. "Even though Pratapchandra was not willing to contest and the party workers were against his candidature, Oscar Fernandes lobbied for Shetty. The real motive behind this is yet to be known," he said.

"Backward classes neglected"

He also said that when it comes to MLC elections, backward classes have been always neglected. "People of all the communities and religion have been given a change, while the backward classes have been always neglected in the Dakshina Kannada district.

"The backward classes form about 60 percent of the total population. I want to contest the election as a memebr of the backward class. If the Congress party neglects us, the party will have to face consequences in the upcoming elections," he warned.

On an emotional note with tears in his eyes, Harikrishna that senior Congress leader Janardhan Poojary did not support his candidature. "I have worked along with Poojary for 33 years. I respect him as my father. For the sake of the party, he has not supported me. Now the ticket is given to those who fill their pockets and not the ones who work sincerely. I do not aspire for power. I want to show my talent to people and if elected, I will serve as an MLC for only one term," he said.

"Will single-handedly work against the Yettinahole project"

Bantwal also said that if he wins the elections, he will single-handedly work against the controversial Yettinahole project. "The Congress leaders are not taking a clear stand regarding the Yettinahole project. It is a big danger to the district.

"Our government is a thick-skinned one. If I win the elections I will single-handedly fight and try to stop the project. I call upon the activists who are against the project to support me in this cause."

Congress leaders Kallige Tharanath Shetty, Arun Coelho, former mayor Purandaradas Kulur, honorary president of Bunts Association youth wing Shashiraj Shetty were present.