Billavas are Not Backstabbers like MP Oscar

Billavas are good people and not backstabbers like Rajyasabha MP Oscar Fernandes. I am openly saying that Oscar Fernandes had played the games in State Cabinet reshuffle, encouraging the CM to select MLA’s from all communities for their favors, except the Billava Community. Why do we have a Catholic MLA and Catholic MLC here, and also the Chairman of MUDA position given to a Muslim? Why is that not a single person from the Billava community is given a minister post or any top post in the administration. This is total discrimination by the CM Siddaramaiah’s government and other top Congress leaders, including MP Oscar Fernandes.

Mangaluru: Coming down harsh on the top Congress leaders and Karnataka State Government , spokesperson for Rashtriya Billava Maha Mandala, Harikrishna Bantwal (also a senior Congress leader) addressing the media persons during a press meet held at Mangalore Press Club said, ” I am deeply hurt since the state Congress body has chosen MLA’s from other communities for ministers post, other than anyone from Billava Community. I am openly saying that highly influential Congressman Oscar Fernandes has played games in this state cabinet reshuffle,urging the CM to select only those who are favorable to them. This is total insult and discrimination against Billava Community, which has quite a huge number of Billava politicians and leaders who have worked for the development of the state and Congress party.”

” Without any specific reasons minister Vinay Kumar Sorake was sacked from his designation. If CM didn’t wanted Sorake in his cabinet, it’s okay with us, but how come the CM didn’t even bother to select five time MLA Vasanth Bangera from Belthangadi for the minister post. He has selected newcomers like Mallikarjun Kharge’s son Priyank, but why not strong Byndoor Billava congress MLA Gopala Poojary. By the way who is Priyank to obtain a minister’s post so quickly without any experience? I guess it’s all about high influence and the money power. Billavas are dissatisfied that Gopala Poojary lost a chance to be the minister. We are upset that district senior congress leaders did not exert enough pressure on the state and national leaders to provide Gopala Poojary a minister’s seat. Except for Puttur and Sullia, in most other regions Billava politicians/leaders have a strong hold. But with CM’s recent selection of MLA’s into his ministerial cabinet , it seems like the Billava representation is disregarded” added Bantwal.

Harikrishna further said, ” It also looks like all these new ministerial posts were sold for huge amounts, but no one from the congress committee has ever thought of giving a responsible post for senior congress leader Janardhana Poojary. Why would they? Janardhana Poojary is not rich like all these MLA’s to offer big money to gain posts. Poojary is sincere and trust-worthy congress leader, good orator, stupendous person who has done so much for the congress party, but sadly neglected by the top congress leaders. Poojary was the one who always tried to bring unity among the party members, he also fought against the opposition parties, while most of the present congress officials are inactive. Billavas urge that Janardhana Poojary should be given a prominent post in the All India Congress Committee (AICC) at the earliest, if not we will stage protest and do whatever we can to divide the congress party- let them act soon before Billava community takes action”

While concluding Bantwal said, ” I have been in the field of politics for 43 years out of which I had spent the last 33 years with Janardhana Poojary. Although Poojary was very close to Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, I could have easily got things done if I wanted to. But I never worked for power and posts, like what the present congress politicians are doing. Once again I urge the congress top committee to think fast and give prominent post to Janradhan Poojary, and also for Billavas at least one minister post in the state cabinet or any other top post in the state or district administration. If Christian, Muslims and others are given top posts in the congress run administration, why not also pick a few from the Billava community. Even though Vinay Kumar Sorake stood first in the media ranking also, he got dumped with no reason. It’s sad and hurtful to note that the Billava community has not been provided representation in the state cabinet, and it seems like there is no social justice as the whole Billava community is ignored in this regard. We will continue with our fight for justice, and if our senior and top congress leaders don’t show any support to our Billava MLA’s and other leaders, we will see that we will teach Congress a lesson in the next elections., that’s our warning. Period”.