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

Mangaluru, Apr 9: Taking a jibe at former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, senior Congress leader Janardhan Poojary on Saturday April 9 said that Yeddyurappa's appointment as president of Karnataka BJP had come as a 'blessing' for Congress, and further stregthened the Congress' chances of winning the next Assembly elections in 2018.

Addressing a press meet at the district Congress office here, Poojary said, "A few media had called me asking my reaction to Yeddyurappa's appointment as BJP state president, hence I am holding this press meet. Choosing its president is BJP's internal issue, but Yeddyurappa gave some statements after taking charge. He said his main task is to eliminate Congress and make Karnataka Congress-free. If he had not told this, I would not have responded. Even Modi had said that he would make India Congress-free; it has been two years since Modi came to power and he has not been able to do it. When Modi cannot, how will Yeddyurappa do it?"

"Yeddyurappa becoming the BJP state president is a blessing to Congress. I congratulate BJP national president Amit Shah and Modi on it," he added.

"People gave power to Congress due to the corruption during Yeddyurappa's tenure. He should forget about eliminating Congress and concentrate on building his own party.

"There are many cases pending against Yeddyurappa, like the Prerna Trust case and denotification cases. We (Congress) will spread awareness about his acts of corruption in every corner of the state. Yeddyurappa's choice as BJP Karnataka president is a clear indication that in 2018 too Congress will win by majority," he added.

"In the history of Karnataka, no chief minister except Yeddyurappa has gone to jail. Yeddyurappa was jailed for 24 days. Hence, with him becoming the BJP state president, Congress has strengthened even more. If Yeddyurappa does not talk with responsibility, we will spread awareness not only about his corruption but may also speak out about his personal life," he warned.

Taking potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, "If Yeddyurappa had any decency and goodness in him, he would not have made this statement (on eliminating Congress) on the day of Ugadi. Let me remind him what Modi had said during the election campaign in West Bengal. He said TMC (Trinamool Congress) stands for 'Terror, Maut (death) and Corruption'. He had questioned the people if they would vote for such a party. Modi is the Prime Minister of the nation, he shoud talk responsibly. In a democracy everyone has the right to talk, but being the PM of the nation, he should think and talk in accordance with the dignity of his position. If I tell BJP is a jokers' party, how people will judge me? Let us do politics but at the same time we must keep up our culture and tradition intact."

On the issue of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Poojary said, "I had told the chief minister not to form the ACB, and now see what has happened - Even the high court has ordered stay on the ACB. Some party members had said that it was my personal view and it was not right to talk in public. But I had conveyed this message to the CM through V S Ugrappa before talking in public. I urge the CM to withdraw the ACB and if required promise the people that he would not take such decisions in future."

Addressing himself to chief minister Siddaramaiah, he said, "You do not have any allegations against you, except the one on Arkavathi denotification which is baseless, so you need not fear. I endorse that you have not indulged in any corruption, but give value to people's opinion, only then people will like you. If you fight against corruption, people will give you clear majority in the next elections. Power is not eternal, but your personality is."

Commenting on the drought situation in the state, he said, "People are suffering from drought. The CM should take all the ministers along and visit drought-hit places and understand the problems of farmers. Video conferencing with district officials is not the way to find solution to problems. You have to go personally, talk to the people, understand their problems and give solutions right away. Since Modi has become the PM, he has not visited a single drought-hit area, but you (Siddaramaiah) are not like Modi, so go and visit these areas."

Asked whether he was threatening Yeddyurappa, he said, "Threatening is what BJP does. Their leaders say if you do not chant 'Bharat Mata ki jai, we will kill you'. I say 'Bharat Mata ki jai', and my heart knows that, but there is no need for me to chant it everyday on the street. It is people's personal choice. Have these BJP people done anything right? They are using ABVP to creating fights in universities and spreading anger among students."

On the PU lecturers' protest, he said, "I can understand that there will be cascading effect if all the demands are fulfilled as others also will start demanding. All the demands cannot be met, but the CM should fulfill some of the demands. On the other hand, it is not right on the lecturers' part to threaten. What will happen to students if they do not evaluate their papers? Education minister Kimmane Ratnakar should talk to the lecturers and try to convince them."

To a question on the ACB, he said, "In Congress we have a rule book in which there is a chapter on discipline. If someone opposes the Congress ideology, it amounts to indiscipline. Now transferring the cases from Lokayukta to ACB is like supporting corruption, and even this becomes indiscipline. The CM should think over it and take steps that would strengthen the Lokayukta and withdraw the ACB."

Rs one lac to journalist's family

On the occasion, Poojary offered condolences over the death of Prajavani reporter Haimad Hussain during a trek at Charmadi on Friday April 8. He announced a total compensation of Rs one lac to Haimad's family, out of which Rs 25,000 was Poojary's personal contribution, Rs 25,000 from Kudroli Shree Gokarnanatheshwara Temple, Rs 25,000 from Poojary's son Deepak, and another Rs 25,000 from MLA J R Lobo.

"This is a small amount, it cannot compensate for the loss suffered by the family," Poojary said while making the announcement.

A minute's silence was observed in rememberance of Haimad.

MLA J R Lobo and others were present.