Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (MM/GA)
Mangalore, Jul 6: The Bajrang Dal in particular and Sangh Parivar activists in general have expressed their displeasure about MLA Yogish Bhat's participation in the protest meet held to oppose the attack on Carmelite priest Fr Sylvester Pereira, on Monday July 2 evening.
Bajrang Dal activists seem to be furious about him for condemning their act on assaulting the priest at Kundapur, on Jun 25. Yogish Bhat had not only participated in the protest meet but had even condemned the Bajrang Dal act for taking law in to their hands and assaulting a priest.
On the same day, RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat attended a meet at Kundapur where he defended the act of Bajrang Dal activists who attacked the priest and cautioned the Christian's against conversion.
However in a recent development, Bajrang Dal outfits in the coastal region have condemned the act of Yogish Bhat for standing by the minority community, in their struggle for justice. This has irked RSS supreme, Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat.
It has been an open secret that everything is not smooth between Yogish Bhat and Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat. The former has always been a true leader, reaching out people in need. He has been one figure in the party who has been standing with minority communities in their ordeal. Even during the communal clashes it was largely observed that he discharged his duties as an MLA and not leader of a party which is said to be harbouring hatred and anger against minority communities.
This had even irked Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat, a very influential RSS leader who has a say in BJP decisions, especially regarding the nomination of office-bearers, choosing MLA candidates in the undivided district of Dakshina Kannada. He is known as firebrand leader in the district and therefore he commends respect from BJP, RSS and Sangh Parivar circles. But Yogish Bhat has been more silent throughout his stint as MLA.
It is almost sure that he would not get party ticket for the next elections since Prabhakar Bhat and his followers do not want a soft person who mingles with everyone. They want someone who can always stand by activists of various Sangh Parivar outfits in whatever they do, at times even saving them from police hands. Since Yogish Bhat does not fit in this extremists' category, Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat is said to have already spoken to senior BJP leaders to choose some young and hot blood for next elections.
But Yogish Bhat knows well that as long as his reputation is intact and he maintains rapport with voters, whether they are from majority or minority communities, it is not easy for the party to deny ticket. A three-time MLA he knows at least a few tricks, such as participating in protest rally against attack on Fr Sylvester, in order to challenge the like of Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat.
It is with this view that a cold war is expected between these two stalwarts within Sangh Parivar circles. Both have their own supporters and are influential at the top-level too. So it is quite interesting to wait and see as where this war will lead Yogish Bhat, BJP and its relationships with hardcore Hindu outfits.
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