Mangaluru (The Hindu): Dakshina Kannada District Congress General Secretary Harikrishna Bantwal said that he is firm on contesting in the Legislative Council elections from the Dakshina Kannada – Udupi local bodies’ constituency.

“There is no question of withdrawing from the contest,” Mr. Bantwal said and added that he is not worried over prospects of disciplinary action from the party. “I am fighting against the practice of ignoring persons who have been working for the party.”

Contest against Shetty

He said that the party workers were pained over the re-nomination of K. Pratapchandra Shetty, who had expressed his unwillingness to contest elections.

During his term, Mr. Shetty has not even once visited panchayats and other local bodies, Mr. Harikrishna said.

Talking to reporters here on Friday, Mr. Harikrishna said that the District Congress had recommended his name to the State Congress unit for the Dakshina Kannada-Udupi constituency.

He had met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, State unit president G. Parameshwara and AICC member Ahmed Patel, who directed him to senior leader Oscar Fernandes.

‘Ignored by leaders’

“I do not know why my candidature was ignored to that of Mr. Shetty,” Mr. Harikrishna said. He said he has a great regard for the party with which he has been associated for four long decades.

“If the party needs to grow, it needs to back its members. The party has gone by Oscar Fernandes’ words and preferred Mr. Shetty, who has not been in active politics for last few years,” he rued.

“I am fighting for the cause of loyal party workers. I want party to hear voice of those working for the party,” he added.

When asked as to why he was going against senior Congress leader B. Janardhan Poojary, who is his guru, Mr. Harikrishna said “This guru-shishya relationship does not mean I am his gulama (slave). Shishya has independence.”

When asked if he would continue to be associated with Mr. Poojary, Mr. Harikrishna said, “Yes, I will if Mr. Poojary wants.”

Photo credit: The Hindu