Bengaluru: The BJP claimed here on Tuesday that "Gauri Day" organised in memory of journalist/activist, Gauri Lankesh, who was gunned down some months ago in the city, was held only to criticise Prime Minister Narendra Modi and campaign against the party with polls to the state assembly looming.
BJP spokesperson, Suresh Kumar told reporters here that instead of recalling Gauri's work and contribution on her birth anniversary, speakers at the event dedicated their time to criticising his party and Mr Modi.
" The sole intention of the programme was to target the BJP and the Prime Minister. It was used as a platform for an election campaign," he charged.
Although four months had gone by since the killing of the senior journalist, no one asked the government to arrest her killers, but only criticised the Prime Minister and the BJP, he deplored.
Mr Kumar was also unhappy with the claim of freedom fighter, H.S. Doreswamy that a killer from Mangaluru was responsible for Gauri's murder. "Being a respected individual involved in many social movements, Mr Doreswamy could have shared this information with the state government instead of speaking about it in public as it points the needle of suspicion at the BJP," he said.
The former Minister rubbished rumours about the BJP negotiating with Mr Asadudin Owaisi of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, based in Hyderabad, for the coming assembly polls.
"This a baseless rumour. The BJP has no interest in talking to Owaisi," he insisted. Home Minister, Ramalinga Reddy had on Monday claimed the saffron party was in secret talks with the three-time Member of Parliament , who represents the Hyderabad constitutency in the Lok Sabha.
Meanwhile, Kannada artists have suggested that the BJP set up more open air theatres, ampli-theatres and auditoriums across cities in the state, which should be made available to cultural organizations at nominal charges.
The BJP under the banner of 'Nava Karnataka- Janapara Shakti' organized a meeting with personalities working in the field of Kannada and Culture here on Tuesday, and sought their suggestions on the preferred policy for art and culture.
Many participants who are involved in film making, acting and culture suggested that the party BJP conduct regular cultural programmes by artists and publish a directory of professional artists. They also suggested that art events be held at schools, colleges and universities. They have suggested exchange programmes with other countries and assistance to enable economically poor artists to perform abroad.
