Belur MLA HK Suresh Takes Oath At Dharmasthala, Denies Cross-voting

Mangaluru: Belur BJP MLA HK Suresh on Tuesday took an oath before Sri Manjunatha Swamy at Dharmasthala, asserting that he had not cross-voted in the recent Karnataka Legislative Council election and had remained loyal to the party.

Suresh arrived at Dharmasthala with his supporters and party leaders on Tuesday. After offering prayers to Sri Annappa Swamy and Sri Manjunatha Swamy, he took an oath before the presiding deity.

Addressing reporters later, Suresh said that he had taken the oath following allegations that he had cross-voted.

"I have not cross-voted or betrayed the party. I voted for the candidate suggested by my party president and the Leader of the Opposition. Lord Manjunatha and Annappa Swamy are witness," he said.

Suresh said the allegations surfaced after the Legislative Council election and had caused anguish to him and the people of his constituency.

The MLA said he had written to BJP state president BY Vijayendra, Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka, BJP national general secretary in charge of Karnataka Radha Mohan Das Agrawal and BJP national general secretary (Organisation) BL Santhosh, informing them about the allegations against him. He said he had also told the party leadership that he had neither cross-voted nor acted against the party's interests and that Lord Manjunatha was witness to his claim.

"The next day, the state president proposed holding a BJP Legislature Party meeting at Dharmasthala. Though it was later cancelled, I decided to go ahead with the oath," he said.

Stating that he had been associated with the Sangh Parivar since the beginning of his political career and believed in Hindutva, Suresh said loyalty to the BJP was paramount for him. "BJP is like my mother," he said.

Asked about those making the allegations, Suresh said he did not want to level counter-allegations. However, he claimed that it could be an effort to put a black spot on his image as some people could not tolerate his growing political stature and the development works being carried out in his constituency. He, however, did not name anyone.

Describing the episode as an "Agni Parikshe", Suresh appealed to the people of Belur to continue reposing faith in him. He said he had entered public life to serve the people and would never betray either the party or the electorate.

The MLA also said he was financially independent and had no reason to indulge in cross-voting. "There is no need for me to do such things. The trust and affection of the people are more important to me than anything else. I will continue to serve the people honestly and not budge to anything," he asserted.

He said he believed Lord Manjunatha would punish those responsible for making the allegations against him.