Pareekshith Shet
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (RJP)
Udupi, Dec 13: Rajya Sabha MP Oscar Fernandes on Sunday December 13 said his party Congress has decided to take action against rebel candidates from the party contesting the upcoming MLC elections, namely former MP Jayaprakash Hegde and Harikrishna Bantwal.
Oscar was speaking during the prepartory 'Chappara Muhurat' rituals ahead of the Paryaya in Udupi to be held on January 18.
"As per the Constitution, only the candidates who have been endorsed by the party belong to the party. Others candidates do not belong to the party," Oscar said.
"Anyone can stand for elections. But the Constitution says that only the candidates chosen by the party are called party candidates. Those who go against the rule do not belong to the party. The party has already decided to take acttion against the rebel candidates," Oscar said.
Speaking about National Herald issue, Oscar said, "The union government has transferred the officer who investigated the case. The accusation is not against the government but against us. Instead of persecuting us, the union government, which won by majority, should work towards looking after the interests of the people. I am proud to be the trustee of National Herald which was founded by Jawaharlal Nehru during independence."
Minister Vinay Kumar Sorake who also spoke during the occasion said, "Pratapchandra Shetty was chosen only after taking the legislators and block Congress presidents into confidence. The chief minister Siddaramaiah and Congress state president Parameshwar tried to convince Jayaprakash Hegde and Harikrishna Bantwal to withdraw the nominations. But they did not listen and still remain in the fray. Parameshwar has decided to take appropriate action against them, and questioned why at all they contested as rebel candidates."