Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, May 7: Over a hundred BJP workers from Belve NS Madamakki gram panchayat limits resigned from their primary memberships and joined Congress party in the presence of Congress candidate from local constituency, Rakesh Malli, and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary, G A Bava, on Sunday March 6. Reportedly they were frustrated by the functioning style of MLA, Halady Srinivas Shetty.

BJP activists who joined the Congress included former president of Belve gram panchayat, B Udayakumar Poojary, president of Madamakki gram panchayat, Raju Kulal, Belve gram panchayat former member, Lolakshi Shetty and over 50 others.

Speaking to media persons thereafter, Udayakumar Poojary accused Halady of enjoying benefit out of his association with BJP and then overlooking the interests of sincere party workers, duly giving importance to those who former a coterie by praising him. He accused Halady of neglecting development of his constituency although he represented it four times. In addition, he also charged him with registering false cases against honest party workers. Halady was further accused of failing to raise his voice about the burning problems affecting people living in the foot of the western ghats like distribution of title deeds, rule 94c, proforma 50-55, disposal of applications in forest rights committee, Kasturirangan committee report etc. Poojary also said that because of inefficiency of the MLA, administrative machinery has become lethargic and nothing moves without paying bribe.

"Contractors supporting the MLA recently said I have been blaming the MLA because I did not get ticket for taluk panchayat election and that I am indulging in caste politics. I have been working for the party since the 90's and if i was power hungry, I would have risen to high posts. Most of those who appreciate the MLA are contractors who reaped benefit from him. The activists who have joined Congress now are living below poverty line. They are distressed because of failure to get facilities like title deeds for which they are genuinely eligible," Poojary said.

He said that a check in the office of the tahasildar will reveal how many poor people have got title deeds on government land encroached by them during the last five years. He wondered why technical problem which makes it impossible for poor people to get land does not deter richer people to get them. He said that the decision to join Congress was taken at the advice of supporters.

Congress candidate, Rakesh Malli, noted that BJP activists have joined Congress under the leadership of B Udayakumar Poojary, and that more will join the party in the coming days. He said that these people want a change.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee secretary, G A Bava, Congress leaders, B Sathish Kini and Jayaram Shetty Soorgoli were present.