Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Feb 1: The district BJP on Thursday February 1 lashed out at chief minister's media advisor Dinesh Amin Mattu for criticising RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat during the 'Souhardategagi Karnataka' programme against communalism and communal politics held at Nehru Maidan here on Wednesday January 30.

In his speech, Mattu had lambasted Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat for being present at Congress leader Janardhan Poojary's autobiography launch ceremony in Kudroli temple, terming it as an 'insult' to Sri Narayana Guru and to the Billawa community. He had also criticised Poojary for inviting Bhat.

Taking umbrage at this outburst, BJP spokesperson Sulochana Bhat told media persons, "Dinesh Amin Mattu used the platform just to criticise the opposition and to disrupt harmony. RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat visited Kudroli temple for the book release function of Janardhana Poojary. Bhat visited the temple as a devotee. Kudroli temple is not Mattu's property.

"We also condemn the way in which the programme in honour of slain Gauri Lankesh went on in Bengaluru. It was a politically-influenced programme as it was only used to criticise Prime Minister Modi. Congress is afraid of losing the forthcoming elections, so they are using Prakash Rai, Jignesh Mevani and other self-proclaimed leaders for publicity. Everyone knows they are targeting Narendra Modi. The state government has miserably failed in nabbing the culprit behind Gauri's murder even after five months. Instead of criticising the state government, they (Prakash Rai, Mevani and others) used this platform to criticise Modi which is condemnable," she said.

BJP spokesperson Sanjay Prabhu, Sathish Prabhu and others were present.