‘KPCC indirectly supporting BJP’s victory’

Rebel Congress leader Amrith Shenoy, who is contesting as an independent from Udupi – Chikmagalur constituency, has accused the KPCC of indirectly ensuring the victory of sitting BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje.

Shenoy told reporters on Tuesday that Udupi – Chikmagalur MP Karandlaje was not an ideal people’s representative.

“It was a good opportunity for the Congress to ensure her defeat. An intense grassroots-level strategy had been planned in the constituency to expose Karandlaje and the BJP. Now, however, it is disheartening to see the Congress lose the constituency that had been all set to welcome a Congress MP,” he said with disappointment.

“The Congress has lost an opportunity to win the seat,” he stressed.

‘Workers confused’

He added that the Congress workers in the area were confused and the leaders were the least bothered to take decisions. “The Congress should think about the future, which now seems bleak due to the decisions taken without any foresight,” he criticised.

Shenoy said that his decision was not taken to go against his own party. “The Congress cannot take disciplinary action against me as I am not contesting against the Congress. I am not an enemy of my party. It is not anti-party activities. I have also not resigned from the AICC membership. It is a fight between the BJP and the JD(S),” he explained.

“The decision of the Congress is irrational. It is leading the party towards destruction,” he said.

Receipts

Shenoy also said that he would issue receipts for the donations he had received. He promised proper accountability for each rupee. “One box contains an amount Rs 29,000. The remaining money will be judiciously used,” he assured.

He said that if he won the elections, it will be from the funds collected from the public. “I will become the voice of the public and their grievances in the Parliament if elected. I will also represent the youth and hold meetings with them regularly,” he promised.