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Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Nov 28: Deputy chief minister (DCM) Dr C N Ashwathnarayan on Saturday November 28 said, “It is not wrong for MLAs to have aspirations over ministerial berths. The decision on allotting the ministerial berth will be decided by the chief minister and top brass of the party.”

He was replying to a query on MLAs aspiration over ministerial berth in the state, during a press meet at BJP's district unit office.

Stating that the BJP is working to empower panchayats to work autonomously by decentralizing functioning for the progressive development of the society, the DCM said, "To reach out to the people at the village level by creating awareness, educating them on the pro-development works of the BJP-led state and union governments and to win all the elections including gram panchayat to Lok Sabha elections is our aim. Villages should be stronger at the panchayat level for the progressive development of society, thus the state unit is holding the 'Gram Swaraj' conventions," he added.

“State president of BJP Nalin Kumar Kateel has already rolled out the concept of 'Pancha Ratna' samithis across the state with the intention to decentralize the functioning. This is also an intention, to convey to the people that the BJP's is not only a political party but it should be part of life, to build progressive society, upholding culture, heritage, nationality and patriotism,” he said.

He also said that Congress has failed to reach people as it has tried only to implement its agenda and failed to respond to the public. “BJP will win 100% gram panchayats in the forthcoming elections, he said.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi led-BJP government in the center has taken right and bold decisions while dealing with the neighbouring countries Pakistan and China in a very less span of time. The bold decisions of PM Modi has isolated Pakistan globally. The government in the centre has reduced imports from China and the policy ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ is making the country more self-reliant," he added.

He also said that the state presidents have formed six teams to hold 'Gram Swaraj' programmes effectively so that the BJP should win 100% gram panchayats and bring progressive change in the country.

Speaking about National Education Policy, the DCM said, “The government is giving major priority to decentralization of education, to bring a structure change in the education where there will be a good education and effective evaluation so that educational institutions give quality education using maximum resources effectively. The government is also thinking to start education from pre-nursery at the age of 3 years itself."  

Answering queries, BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel said that there is no confusion in the party. “MLAs aspiring to become minsiters is not wrong. Having aspiration and goal is not wrong. The chief minister and national level party leaders will decide on the allotment of ministerial berths,” he said. He further added the 80% gram panchayats will be won BJP supported candidates.

BJP state general secretary Mahesh Tenginkai, BJP district unit president Sudarshan Moodbidri, Kolar MP Muniswamy, BJP district in-charge Udaykumar, Mayor Diwakar, MLAs Vedavyasa Kamath, Dr Bharath Shetty and Umanath Kotian, MLC Prathap Simha Nayak, Mahila Morcha state president Geetha Vivekananand and others were present.

The DCM and other leaders visited Kadri Shree Manjunatha Temple earlier in the day.