“Acharya was god for the BJP”, Gowda breaks down while paying tribute

Mangalore, February 14: Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda broke down while paying tributes to Higher Education Minister Dr. V.S. Acharya, who died in Bangalore on Tuesday after collapsing during a public meeting.

Mr Gowda termed Acharya as a scholarly personality and he was the other name for good conduct in politics. “Acharya did not have single blot in his entire life. He would make an in-depth study before speaking on any subject. He is the only politician who remained committed to the principles and ideology of the party,” Mr. Gowda said after paying his respects to the departed leader at the Race Course Road residence.

Saluting his sense of duty, Mr. Gowda said: “For him work was worship. He was driven by the sense of duty even until the last moments of his life. We have never seen such a commitment from anyone. Nor we can see such an example in future.”

Describing him as his political mentor (rajakiya guru), Mr. Gowda said, he had benefitted immensely from the guidance of Dr. Acharya in the early 70s. “I was just a student then. But we used to get guidance from him every now and then. It was the guidance and the encouragement that he provided which took me to this position today,” Mr. Gowda said.

“He had been guiding me for over four decades. He had been preparing the manifesto of the BJP since 80s. He was infact the god for the party. He was a wonderful guide. We need his guidance in the future as well. I still believe that he will keep guiding us,” Mr. Gowda said with an emotional voice.

Hailing his contribution in running the affairs of the administration the chief minister said: “I had asked him to take rest for a week and spend a week's time with me while preparing the Budget. He had agreed and said that he was ready to give me 10 days. But, he has left us suddenly leaving us in utter shock. Who is there to guide me now? It's the biggest loss for me” Mr. Gowda said before breaking down in front of the cameras.

Meanwhile, speaking in New Delhi, BJP patriarch L.K. Advani recalled the contribution of Acharya to the growth of the party in Karnataka and said he had always felt proud of the departed leader's performance.

“Acharya played an important role in making Udupi a fortress of the BJP,” Mr. Advani told reporters reacting to the death of the BJP leader.

“Udupi was among the first municipalities our party captured in the southern states. Dr. Acharya as the chairman made sure the municipality won the accolades for being best-administered local body by the successive state governments. We always felt very proud of his achievements,” Mr. Advani said.

He also recalled his meeting with the departed leader when his Jan Chetana Yatra reached Udupi. “He was with me throughout during my visit to Udupi. The public meeting at Udupi was the biggest gathering ever I had addressed in the temple town. I also shared my feelings with Acharya,” Mr. Advani said.