Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Jun 16: The power handover ceremony of the Udupi district BJP presidency turned emotional as the outgoing president criticised the party leadership during his speech.
Kuthyar Naveen Shetty was appointed as the new party president and Kishore Kumar Kundapura was given a exit notice by the party officials on June 11. The handover ceremony was scheduled on June 16 in Udupi district BJP office.
Kishore Kumar Kundapura, in his address, strongly criticized the party's decision-making, stating that power was taken away from him based on face value, community background, and financial influence.
He openly said: “Community power, money power, and face value were considered during the MLA and MP elections, which was necessary. But if those same parameters are applied even for selecting a district president, I cannot agree with that."
He said, "My political career has been a sad story. I built an office for the party in Kundapura, spending a significant amount of money—most of it from loans taken in my own name—for the party’s sake. I was made to contest the MLA election when the party had no candidate in Kundapura, and all I was left with were debts and defeat."
Later, the party appointed me as district president. But within just eight months of my tenure, there were already rumors of my removal. Though I was given a term of one year and four months, I could work as an actual president for only eight months. I never went to anyone’s doorstep begging for party funds; I spent my own money. I never pleaded with any party leaders to retain my position. On June 11, at around 7:30 pm, I received a call from a state-level official informing me that I was being removed. I accepted it with a positive attitude and didn't react much. But what truly hurt me was learning that the order had been released even before it was officially communicated to me,” he said.
“This decision by the party has hurt me deeply,” he admitted, while extending best wishes to the newly appointed district president. “I don’t know how to prove my loyalty and honesty more than I already have. I served as president for just eight months out of one and a half years, and I did so with pride. I respected everyone – even those who did not cooperate with me.”
Kishore Kumar said he found the way the party handled the matter deeply disrespectful. “People say those who called me are the ones who recommended my removal. This is very humiliating to me. Did I ever misuse my position for personal gain? No. I have spent a lot during my tenure. Those who supported me know the truth. I have never collected money from anyone.”
He added that many party workers had called him in tears, expressing disappointment over the decision. “Someone recently told me, ‘God will take care of you.’ May God bless them too.”
“There are accusations that I collected money. But I know the truth more than anyone else. Politics is not the end of the world for me – I have a bigger life beyond it. I am grateful to the BJP for giving me this position, and I have grown significantly on a personal level.”
Concluding, he said, “There is a tradition of felicitating outgoing presidents. But I don’t want any such honour. I don’t believe in accepting felicitation to please others. I no longer hold any power – it has been taken from me, and I will not hand it over formally. The general secretary will do that.”
His emotional outburst has stirred discussions within the party and among political observers in coastal Karnataka, reflecting deep undercurrents in the local BJP unit.