'BJP has done injustice to Billavas'

District Congress Committee President and MLC Harish Kumar has accused the BJP of meting out injustice to the Billava community and misleading the community’s youth in order to realise their selfish goals.

He was addressing a press meet at the Congress office in the city on Saturday.

Statistics

Harish has even dared the BJP to come out with statistics on the political representation given to candidates from Billava community in Karnataka to contest the Lok Sabha polls.

“The Congress-JD(S) has fielded two candidates from the Billava community to contest. The Congress has given political representation to Janardhan Poojary, Bangarappa, Vinay Kumar Sorake, Jayamala and others. In fact, Poojary was elected as AICC general secretary and KPCC president. How many leaders from the Billava community were given top posts in the BJP?” he asked.

“The Congress also gave opportunity to Billavas to contest in the Lok Sabha elections and sent them as Parliamentarians. Unfortunately, the BJP misused youth from the Billava community by handing them swords to engage in communal rift. About 80% of the political criminals languishing in prison are from the Billava community,” he told reporters in the DCC hall.

“It looks like the BJP has lost its self-confidence over winning the election. Instead of speaking on achievements of the incumbent MP for the past 10 years, the party is engaged in raising the issues of injustice to Billava community members” said Harish Kumar.

Black Day

Harish Kumar declared that Vijaya Bank will be mere memory after March 31.

“Opposing the merger of Vijaya Bank with Dena Bank and Bank of Baroda, the DCC will observe April 1 as a Black Day, in front of Vijaya Bank branch office in Mallikatte. If elected to power, the Congress will attempt to stop the merger of banks. If it is not possible, we will ensure that the name of Vijaya Bank is retained,” Harish Kumar said.

Convention

A Congress convention will be held in Belthangady on April 1. The convention will be attended by Minister D K Shivkumar. Another convention will be held on April 2 in Sullia which will be attended by KPCC President Dinesh Gundu Rao.

“The party workers will hold door-to-door campaign from April 1,” he added.

On BJP youth leader Ranjan Gowda, son of former minister Gangadhar Gowda, joining the Congress, Harish Kumar refused to comment but said that the Congress will welcome all those who accept the party’s principles and join the party.

AICC President Rahul Gandhi or AICC General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are likely to campaign in Dakshina Kannada. A final decision is yet to be taken in this regard, party sources added.