Mangaluru: Senior Congress leader Janardhan Poojary on Saturday said that the appointment of B S Yeddyurappa as the president of Karnataka BJP has made the Congress’ chances of winning the Assembly elections of 2018 even stronger.

Speaking to mediapersons at the district Congress office, Poojary said that Yeddyurappa spoke about making Karnataka Congress-free.

“Modi said two years back at Lok Sabha elections about making India Congress-free and now Yeddyurappa is saying the same thing. When Modi was unable to do it, how can Yeddyurappa do that?” he questioned.
“It’s a blessing in disguise to Congress. Thanks to BJP Chief Amit Shah and Modi for the decision,” he added.

Poojary further said that Congress had won the last elections mainly due to corruption during Yeddyurappa’s tenure.

“Yeddyurappa has many cases pending against him. He’s the only chief minister in the history of Karnataka to go to jail. If he doesn’t speak with responsibility, we will spread awareness about his corruption,” he said.
About Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Poojary said that he had advised the chief minister not to form the ACB earlier itself.

“Now the high court has stayed the operation of ACB. I urge the CM to withdraw the ACB and not to take decisions in future,” he said.

On other issues he addressed, he urged the chief minister to visit drought-hit areas and understand the problems of farmers. And on the PU lecturers’ evaluation row, he said that Education Minister Kimmane Ratnakar should speak to the lectures and convince them.

Financial help to deceased journalist’ family

Poojary along with others offered condolences over the death of Prajavani reporter Haimad Hussain who passed away yesterday. A compensation of Rs one lac was announced to Haimad’s family. Poojary, Poojary’s son Deepak, Kudroli Shree Gokarnanatheshwara Temple and MLA J R Lobo contributed equally for the cause.

A minute’s silence was observed in remembrance of Haimad.

MLA J R Lobo and other Congress members were present.