Donning a new avatar, as crusader for Kannada culture and tradition, former underworld don Muthappa Rai on Tuesday announced the launch of his apolitical outfit ‘Jai Karnataka’.
Speaking to media persons in Bangalore, in a packed press conference, Rai said he has been doing a lot of social service in Puttur, Mangalore through his MR Trust. “But it had limited scope and so I decided to launch a party to uphold and preserve the Kannada culture and reach out to the underprivileged sections of society, especially the differently-abled throughout the State,” said Rai.
Donning the trademark vermillion teeka on his forehead, he said ‘Jai Karnataka’ will never enter politics. “We have nothing to do with politics. Ours is a socially-oriented and welfare-driven organisation. Though several political parties including the BJP, the Congress and the Janata Dal have approached us, we have refused to
support them,” he said.
To begin with, Rai said, ‘Jai Karnataka’ would drill 100 wells in the villages, particularly in North Karnataka. “Most of the development work takes place in the cities. I would like to shift the focus to the villages and develop areas where there’s no electricity and water. My organisation will lend support to parties working for the preservation of Kannada culture but it would not compete against them,” said Rai
He added that he would adopt “Gandhian” method of protest and not resort to holding rallies and protest marches. “I don’t want to cause public inconvenience. Gandhigiri is the best way to protest against anti-people projects,” he said.
Rai said he will not accept any funds from anyone and will invest 75 per cent of his business profits into ‘Jai Karnataka’.
No threat
Only people with social orientation would be allowed to become members of the organisation, he added.
When asked about his hoary past, he said he has been acquitted in all the cases. “I have no threats anymore and I’m not concerned about Dawood and his likes. Infact, if I come to know of any anti-national conspiracy, I will alert the Central and State agencies,” he added.
