Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Oct 28: Launching a veiled attack on Billawa leader Harikrishna Bantwal, district Congress president Harish Kumar said that Congress has always been giving priority to Billava community and their overall development.

Addressing media here on Saturday, October 28, Harish Kumar said, “Some leaders have resigned from the party stating that Congress has done nothing for the Billava community. After serving in Congress for 35 years, a former leader has criticized Congress. Our party does not indulge in caste politics. Congress has always worked for unity. For the sake of caste, leaving the party is nothing but insult to the society.”

“No other party has given priority to Billava community like Congress. We have given every opportunity for the members of the Billava community to represent Congress. Senior Congress leader B Janardhan Poojary was a parliamentary member and for nine times he was allowed to contest Lok Sabha election. Congress gave an opportunity to Vinay Kumar Sorake to become minister,” he said.

“Congress had sanctioned Rs 5 crore for the development of medicinal plant park in Padumale, named after 'Deyi Baideti', mother of Koti-Chennaya, constructed in Puttur and also a 9-acre land for the same. Our party also permitted to celebrate Narayana Guru Jayanthi and also gave importance for Narayana Guru Adhyana Peeta at MangaloreUuniversity. We even provided a 1-acre land for Narayana Guru Bhavan in Bengaluru. So it is wrong to blame Congress for not doing anything for the Billava community,” he added.

When queried about the allegations on mayor Kavitha Sanil assaulting a woman, Harish Kumar said, “BJP are politicizing the incident. The mayor has clarified the issue briefly and there is no need of demanding her resignation.”