‘I will Decide my Stand on Apr 27 after Meeting Rahul Gandhi’ – Vijay Kumar Shetty
Mangaluru: “I was one of the aspirants to get the ticket to contest from the Mangaluru North Constituency but the party high command denied me the ticket because of some leaders in the Congress party. When I was the aspirant in 2008, the ticket was denied due to some reasons. But in 2013, A K Antony assured me of giving the MLC post and gave the ticket to Moideen Bava. Now even after five years, they have failed to keep their promise. I am hurt by the attitude of the Congress leaders. I have all the inside information of some leaders and will reveal it at the right time”, said the former MLA Vijay Kumar Shetty in a press meet held at Hotel Woodlands here on April 25.
Addressing the mediapersons Vijay Kumar Shetty said, “Denying me the ticket has hurt me a lot. My supporters have requested me to contest as an independent candidate, many leaders from other parties have come to me and asked me to join their party. But I will not leave the party because there is no other party like the Congress. I will remain in Congress and work for the success of each candidate except for the Mangaluru North. I have not stopped my supporters from working for the Mangaluru North Constituency. On April 27, AICC President Rahul Gandhi will visit Bantwal and Dharmasthala. General Secretary of AICC and in-charge of Karnataka K C Venugopal and AICC secretary PC Vishnunath have assured me of giving an opportunity to meet and discuss the matter with Rahul Gandhi. After my meeting with Rahul Gandhi, I will take my decision of actively taking part in the election campaign.”
Vijay Kumar Shetty also said, “The Congress party which has brought freedom to our country is contesting for the assembly elections and CM Siddaramaiah has done a wonderful job in his tenure which is a model to the entire nation. I have special respect and love towards Siddaramaiah because of which I want to remain in the Congress. There is no other party like Congress which is secular and working for the welfare of the people. Many have the intention to join politics and make a lot of money but my intention is only to serve the society.”
Vijay Kumar Shetty further said, “I thought this time the high command would give me the ticket but when the ticket was denied I was hurt. Some say that I have lost the ticket because I was actively taking part in the protests against the Yettinahole river diversion. Because of some officers and elected representatives, the Yettinahole project has continued. People from all the parties have supported us during the Yettinahole protest. Only the CPM party did not support us. Is it a crime to protest against the Yettinahole project?”
When asked whether he has any ill-feelings towards Moideen Bava, Vijay Kumar Shetty said, “I will explain after the elections. Let the elections get over because Moideen Bava needs some advise, he is always in over speed!”
When asked If the Congress comes to power and he gets the MLC post, will he drop the protest against the Yettinahole project? Shetty said, “I will continue my fight till my last breath so that the younger generation gets justice.”
Purushotham Chitrapur, Hussain Katipalla, Nagaveni, Utham Alva, Karunakar, Anitha Raj, Philomena, Reshma and others were also present.
Who is this Shetty guy? Abhi tak kahaan thay? Don’t worry Moideen saab. You will not lose because of this Shetty. You will lose because if your lack lustre performance. Good luck.