“Would Have Attended An Event On Kempegowda Even In Pakistan,” Said BJP Leader And Former Chief Minister
“Is Kempegowda restricted to Congress party or Bharatiya Janata Party alone?”: Former Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda
BENGALURU: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader (BJP) and former Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda on Monday stated he told his party man and MLA S.R. Vishwanath that he would have attended a programme on Hiriya Kempegowda, founder of Bengaluru, on invitation even if it was organized in Pakistan or for that matter by Communist leaders when the latter objected to his presence at a event organised by Congress party on Kempegowda Jayanthi in Yelahanka on Saturday.
Sadananda Gowda told reporters in Bengaluru on Monday, “Is Kempegowda restricted to Congress party or Bharatiya Janata Party alone?” he questioned Vishwanath and termed Kempegowda a towering personality. He disclosed he had communicated his feelings on Kempegowda to S.R. Vishwanath when the latter appealed not to attend the Congress party event.
Gowda accused his party man and MLA S.R. Vishwanath a “land grabber” and served under late underworld don Muthappa Rai before plunging into politics to serve in various capacities including chairman of Bangalore Development Authority (BDA). He alleged the BDA under Vishwanath suffered considerably.
The reaction from Sadananda Gowda, belonging to the Vokkaliga community from Puttur of Dakshina Kannada in coastal Karnataka, came after Vishwanath, representing Yelahanka Assembly seat in Bengaluru, said “Is he a Vokkaliga?” and stated “Vokkaligas are found only in Old Mysuru region.” Vishwanath stated “None from Coastal Karnataka region belong to Vokkaliga community, a politically dominant community in Karnataka.”
Commenting on Vishwanath’s statement, Sadananda Gowda said protests against Vishwanath started in Puttur, Belthangady among others by Vokkaliga community members in Coastal Karnataka over his statement.
Gowda said Vishwanath is under the influence of money power and under the impression that “he can purchase all through money power.” The former Chief Minister assured the statement by S.R. Vishwanath will be brought to the notice of central leaders.