Mangalore, December 12: Priority would be given to minorities, backward classes and youth while fielding candidates from the Karnataka Janatha Party (KJP) in the upcoming Assembly elections, said B S Yeddyurappa, former Chief Minister and KJP supremo.
Addressing media persons at Circuit House in Mangalore on Wednesday, Mr. Yeddyurappa said that KJP is a party for all sections of the society and minorities would be given a preference in the upcoming elections. “I have always believed that we are all children of the same mother. As far as possible we will field minorities and fresh faces in the elections. We will field candidates in all 224 constituencies in Karnataka. Even if some 60 MLAs and MPs put together come and join me, there would still be a number of seats which we can field minorities and others from”, Mr. Yeddyurappa said.
Stressing on the youth factor, Mr. Yeddyurappa said that in his recent Haveri convention more than 50% of the gathering comprised of youngsters and that he would encourage youngsters as far as contesting elections is concerned. He also said that KJP will contest upcoming local body elections too.
On a query on RSS ideology, Mr. Yeddyurappa said that it is just KJP for him now and that he would “not comment” on the RSS ideology. When asked if he still stands by the “Modi model” which he would constantly speak of in the past, the former CM said “It is just the Yeddyurappa model now”. On another question on church attacks taking place during his regime and whether Christians would accept his leadership, Mr. Yeddyurappa said that he had always taken action against the culprits in all instances of communal violences. “I had taken action during the church attacks and controlled the situation within 48 hours. I have taken action against Bajrang Dal members. I have not spared anyone”, he said.
Stating that rise of a regional party is a must to ensure Karnataka's development, Mr. Yeddyurappa said that with KJP, he intends to draw central government's decisions in favour of the state in various matters. “Irrespective of who is the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, the central government always favoured Tamil Nadu for Kaveri issue and other issues because of the say its regional party has on the central government. It is necessary that a regional party like KJP rises and calls the shots at the centre so that decisions can be made in our favour and we can attract more grants for the state”, he said.
'UR Ananthamurthy has agreed to co-operate'
Mr. Yeddyurappa on the occasion revealed that a committee comprising of Jananapeeth Awardee UR Ananthamurthy, Jutice Venkatesh, K Srinivas, Chandrashekhar Patil (Champa), Mohandas Pai, B S Patil, Nellur Prasad, G N Hegde, Mumtaz Ali Khan besides others have agreed to give suggestions to make Karnataka a better state, the recommendations of which would be considered while forming the election manifesto of KJP.
When asked as to how Mr. Ananthamurthy had agreed to co-operate with him when he has always vehemently opposed him, Mr. Yeddyurappa said that Mr. Ananthamurthy has realized that he has “changed now”.
Mr. Yeddyurappa also said that in three to four days time, district committees and heads of KJP would be appointed and he would soon start his state-wide tour.
Mariyamma Thomas, Ramachandra Baikampady, MD Laxminarayana, Azeez Baikampady were among those present on the occasion, identifying themselves as part of Mr. Yeddyurappa's KJP.
Comments
Add new comment