Mangaluru (TNN): Close on the heels of Puttur block Congress president Hemanth Shetty launching Bharathiya Hindu Parishad (BHP), a Hindu outfit, the party is in a tizzy again over another prominent leader all set to preside over Hindu Samajotsav.
Vishwa Hindu Parishat (VHP) has decided to hold Hindu Samajotsav at Nehru Maidan in the city on March 1.
The religious meet will be presided over by Congress member Vijaynath Vittal Shetty. Vijayanath is an entrepreneur and chief coordinator of Shasthavu Sri Bhoothanatheshwara Temple of Badaga Yedapadavu. He joined the Congress in December 2012. He was part of Congress activities and had played a major role during the state assembly and Lok Sabha elections. VHP working president Jagadish Shenava told TOI that Vijaynath's political affiliation is not an issue for the Parishat.
"We have no issue on his political affiliation with the Congress. He is a Hindu and Parishat wants one who has faith in the Hindutva to preside over the Samajotsav," Shenava said.
Vijayanath said: "This is a Hindutva programme, and I am a Hindu. Moreover, this is not a BJP function. According to me, I am free to go for any Hindu programme. I am only a worker in the Congress, and Hindutva is more important for me." Incidentally, Vijaynath was in news after he attended Congress programmes wearing saffron dhotis, and the issue had attracted the wrath of veteran Congress leader B Janardhan Poojary.
At present, the Congress leadership is in dilemma with U T Khader defending BHP of Hemanth, while leaders like Poojary and Congree member PV Mohan opposing it. AICC member PV Mohan said Congress is a secular party that is instrumental in laying strong foundation for democracy.
