The Hindu
MANGALORE, Jun 3: Gowd Saraswath Brahmana Sanghatanegala Zilla Okkoota has appealed to Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa to give a suitable post for the fourth-time MLA N. Yogish Bhat.
The association has decided to stage a peaceful demonstration in front of the Bharathiya Janata Party (BJP) office at Kodialbail here on Wednesday to express its unhappiness over the alleged sidelining of Mr. Bhat.
Addressing presspersons here on Monday, president of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kumble Narasihma Prabhu, representing senior leaders of the community, said that the Gowd Saraswath Brahmana community had stood by the BJP since its early days. “Mangalore was the first city to have elected an MLA from BJP in the State,” Mr. Prabhu said and added that it was made possible by the efforts of senior leaders of the community such as late C.G. Kamath and Raghuveer Nayak.
‘No representation’
Mr. Prabhu said it was unfortunate that the community was not represented in the first BJP Government in South India and that the seniority of Mr. Bhat had been overlooked.
The community had hoped that Mr. Bhat would get the ministerial berth when he was elected in 2004 and the party formed a coalition government with the Janata Dal (Secular).
But that hope had been shattered even then, Mr. Prabhu said.
Welcoming the induction of the Mangalore City North MLA J. Krishna Palemar into the cabinet, Mr. Prabhu hoped that the latter would do justice to the faith reposed in him by the party. At the same time, the party should also recognise the efforts of its senior legislators such as Mr. Bhat by offering them a responsible post in the cabinet, he said.
‘Soul searching’
Urging the Chief Minister to do justice to the community, Mr. Prabhu said the community would have to do some soul searching on its support to the party if Mr. Bhat’s experience was not recognised. The community leaders would take a decision on their support to the BJP if the party ignored Mr. Bhat, he said.
Senior leaders Basti Vaman Shenoy, Umananda Mallya, Gopinath Mallya, and Madhav Kamath were present.
The Gowda Saraswath Brahmin Temples’ Association and the KCCI have sent separate appeals to Mr. Yeddyurappa in this regard.
Bhat’s reaction
Mr. Bhat, however, told The Hindu that he was not aware of any move by the community to take up his cause with the Chief Minister.
“I am a loyal party worker and am willing to accept any post or responsibility given to me.
My first priority is to ensure the development of my constituency,” he said.