CM Advised to Convince Farooq to Withdraw from JD(S) – Bava

CM Advised me to Convince Farooq to Withdraw from JD(S) – Bava

Mangaluru: MLA North Constituency Moideen Bava held a press meet at his chamber, MCC premises here on June 1.

Addressing the mediapersons, Bava said, “I had introduced my younger brother B M Farooq to the Chief Minister but the CM had not shown any interest in having my brother in the party. Now, he has received an opportunity to contest for the MP elections from the JD(S). There are many leaders from the same family who have contested from different parties. The Congress party has recognized my work; they gave me a ticket to contest the MLA elections and three years ago, I was elected as the MLA of Mangaluru North Constituency.”

Bava further said, “My brother and I do not have any relationship in the business or political career. Last Wednesday, when I went to Bengaluru, my brother Farooq met me and said that Kumaraswamy had met him and asked him to contest from the JD(S) for the MP seat and that he would take this opportunity and contest in the elections. I conveyed this news to the CM but he did not show any seriousness the first time. The next day, the CM asked me to meet him and when I met him, he asked me to convince my brother to withdraw his nomination from JD(S). When I met my brother and tried convincing him to withdraw, Farooq replied, ‘I have got an opportunity to contest from JD(S) for the MP seat, and I will contest the elections. Don’t pressurise me in this matter’.”

Bava also clarified that when someone gets an opportunity to contest in elections and he is willing to do so, we have no right to stop them. “It is my brothers wish to contest. CM Siddaramaiah is my leader and I am a loyal member of the Congress party. Some TV channels, have portrayed this issue as the CM taking me to task and giving me a good lesson. I am not a student to get a good lesson. Whatever the TV channels have been telecasting is far from the truth. The CM only asked me to convince my brother to withdraw his candidature from JD(S) because he thought that my brother will lose the elections. When anyone starts their political career, I cannot stop them. I have 4 other brothers and two sisters and when I contested all my brothers and sisters supported me. So far, I have not taken any favour from anyone nor have my family members taken any favour from me. My brother is independent and I do not have any role in his political career.”

Dispelling rumors that Bava orchestrated this move to undermine Oscar Fernandes, he said, “I have many friends in Congress, JD(S) and other parties but so far I did not ask any favour with anyone. I could have asked Congress to give an MP ticket to my brother. If I ever ask anyone of the 244 legislative members for a favour like that, I will take permanent retirement from my political career. My brother is independent and he is very close to Kumaraswamy. He has taken his own decision to contest from JD(S). There are rumours that I have fielded my brother against my political guru Oscar Fernandes, but they are not true.”

When asked about Oscar Fernandes’ MP candidature, Bava replied, “Oscar Fernandes has done a lot of development work for the district. His candidature is the decision by the high command. I do not have any business relationship with Farooq. If anyone has any proof let them come forward, I will keep my promise and retire from politics.”