JOIN USParty former convenor objects to candidature, Vasudeva clarifies
Aam Admi Party (AAP) candidate for Dakshina Kannada constituency M R Vasudeva filed nomination with the Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim on Saturday, amidst the high drama that unfolded at the DC’s office premises.
Differences within the party erupted when Mangalore Airport former director M R Vasudeva arrived at the DC’s office in the afternoon, accompanied by nearly 50 party workers.
He along with party office-bearers Santhosh Kottari, Rohan Shiri, Harish Acharya and Glenwil went to file the nominations, while the party workers waited in the office premises. Meanwhile, former convenor of the AAP district unit, Robert Rosario began raising objection about Vasudeva’s candidature with mediapersons.
Robert, wearing Aam Admi Party cap, alleged that Vasudeva’s candidature was decided in a confidential and less transparent way. According to the party’s procedure, the proposed candidate has to be discussed openly in the public and objections to his candidature should be called for, but nothing of that sort has been followed while nominating Vasudeva.
He said Vasudeva was ineligible to be the AAP candidate. Making a series of allegations, he said, “Vasudeva had earlier participated in the programmes organised by the BJP’s NaMo Brigade. How did his ideology change in a shortwhile and what made him join AAP. There are criminal cases against him. I have written to the AAP national unit about the selection of wrong candidate along with supportive documents.”
Even as Robert continued speaking to media, some of the party workers who turned furious over his remarks, began pulling his cap and spectacles. They surrounded him and said that he was not the party member and he was not fit to wear the party cap.
With the party leaders intervention, the issue settled down. Campaign Manager for Mangalore constituency told media that Robert has been expelled from the party and he is making such statements as he is upset over not getting the party ticket.
However, AAP District Convenor Dharmendra clarified that Robert has not yet been expelled from the party and decision on that will be taken in a meeting.
On filing the nomination, Vasudeva clarified that he had shared dais in NaMo Brigade programme as a common man, even before joining AAP.
“As a common man, I am free to attend the programmes organised by any party, be it the BJP or the Congress. Such exposures give me an opportunity to learn, understand things and decide on my stand. I have joined AAP by accepting the party’s ideologies,” he said.
On the party’s election agenda for the constituency, he said the party will continue its fight against corruption. “We will also oppose the attempts to create communal divide and incidents of moral policing. He said the party is united and expressed confidence of submitting ‘B’ form before March 26.”
Earlier, AAP members along with candidate M R Vasudeva boarded a bus at Hampankatta to reach DC office to file the papers.