Mahamandal smells conspiracy for Billava Mukt Congress'; slams Oscar, CM

Mangaluru, Jun 21: Leaders of Billva community have threatened the Congress party that it would bay a heavy price for neglecting their leaders during recent Cabinet reshuffle in Karnataka under the leadership of chief minister Siddaramaiah.

Rashtriya Billavara Mahamandal, a powerful body of the Billava community on Tuesday accused the Congress of 'using and throwing' the community for narrow political gains. “Is there a conspiracy in play to ensure Billava Mukt Congress' (Billava free Congress),” asked Harikrishna Bantwal, spokesperson of the Mahamandal.

Speaking to reporters here, Mr Bantwal took umbrage to sacking of Vinay Kumar Sorake from the cabinet and not giving representation Billava community in ministerial reshuffle.

“If the CM felt that Vinay Kumar Sorake was not good enough, he had a choice of other senior MLAs from Billava community including Vasanth Bangera from Belthangady and Gopal Poojary from Baindoor, who could be included in the cabinet. Both Vasanth Bangera and Gopal Poojary are senior MLAs and are capable to become ministers in their own individual right,” he said.

He went on to claim that the party had ignored even Janardhan Poojary, the former union minister. “In fact Poojary should have been the choice of Congress for recent Rajya Sabha polls instead of Oscar Fernandes, who is damaging the party's interest,” he said.

It is leaders such as Oscar who are damaging party's interest and efforts are on to sideline a senior Billava leader Janardhan Poojary, who ideally should have been party's choice for RS polls," he added.