Pic: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Dec 31: A day after results of the MLC elections were announced, former MP Jayaprakash Hegde who contested as an independent candidate and lost, said that he was hurt by the result, and alleged that the Congress had won because 'votes were cast in exchange for cash'.
Addressing a press meet here on Thursday December 31, J P Hegde said, "I am hurt by the election results, as I had good support in the district. I have been able to gain minimum votes at least, which shows I have voters' support too. But I am hurt that votes were cast in exchange for money. This election was where local body representatives cast their votes, but if had been an election where party workers and the general public could vote, I would have won.
"Party workers supported me, but the support did not transpire into votes. I do not have negative thoughts like some of the ministers and MLAs. My supporters are like my friends and we will work together in future too," he added.
"The main cause for my loss in the elections is that Congress lured the voters with money, pressurised, threatened them and also exploited their religious sentiments. There were differences of opinion in the party before the elctions. I had spoken to Oscar Fernandes regarding this, saying that I was pained by this, but there was no proper response. I had also brought the issue to the notice of the CM and told him about the lack of coordination in the party, but he did not take it seriously," Hegde said.
"The Congress lost in Chikkamagaluru, and one of the reasons was I have many supporters there. In Congress, any candidate could have won because there are MLAs and ministers to support," he said.
"Though Pratapchandra Shetty (Congress candidate who won) did not do much work and did not attend meetings, he was given the ticket. Neverthless, I am not the kind of person to criticize a party or a person. Pratapchandra got charged-up after I decided to contest. Let him work for the development of the local bodies and panchayats," he said.
"I will continue my work in the future also along with my supporters. I will strive to do more for Byndoor, Kaup and Udupi. Being in politics has brought me lots of good friends. I will think about the future of my supporters also," Hegde said.
Asked about his relations with Congress leader Bhujanga Shetty now, he said, "I have good relations with him and it will continue.
To a query on the possibility of him joining JD(S), he said, "I need to think about it, as it is not my decision alone. I will discuss with party workers and decide the future course of action. As of now, I contested as an independent and will remain an independent.
"I contested the elections to preserve internal democracy. Whoever has won should work for the development of the local bodies," he added.
Birthi Rajesh Shetty, Harish Shetty Cherkadi and Kishore were present.