Denial of Ticket in Mulky – Moodbidri, Jagadish Adhikari to decide on quitting BJP
Moodbidri: “During the previous elections the BJP had treated me like a puppet and given me the ticket to contest the elections. After giving me the ticket BJP leaders were enjoying to see me lose the elections. This time the BJP has given the ticket to a losing candidate. I was one of the aspirants to contest from Mulky – Moodbidri constituency but they denied me the ticket. Soon, I will take a decision to quit the BJP”, said the District BJP vice-president K P Jagadish Adhikari in a press meet held at Hotel Ballal, Moodbidri here on April 17.
Addressing the mediapersons Jagadish Adhikari said, “I am from Jain community, I had joined politics to serve the country. The Congress party had given me everything but I was forced by the BJP leaders to quit Congress and join the BJP. The BJP had made me the chief of the Election committee but while giving the ticket it was given on the basis of caste which has hurt me a lot.”
Jagadish further said, “We are not taking any remuneration from the party. In Moodbidri there are hundreds of people who can contest the elections. But the BJP high command has given the ticket to an outsider when we have Billava candidates in Moodibidri. If the BJP candidate loses in Mulky – Moodbidri, the State and National leaders will be held responsible. They should not blame me, when I had contested from the BJP, our own party leaders were responsible for my defeat. “
When asked about the murder of Hindu activists, Jagadish said, “I know who is behind the murder of Hindu activists. I am not afraid to reveal the truth behind the murder of Hindu activists. I have already informed my supporters to be neutral. The JD(S) and Congress leaders have a good relationship with me. The BJP workers are insisting me to resign. Hundreds of party workers believed and supported me when I joined the BJP, I will not hurt them”.
In Moodbidri Jagadish Adhikari had opened an office and was using it to call press conferences and party meetings. After BJP denied the ticket to Jagadish Adhikari, on April 16 he closed down the office in Moodbidri.