MANGALURU
Pranavananda Swami of Brahmashree Narayana Guru Shakti Peetha, Kalaburgi, has expressed unhappiness over the Congress’s first list naming the candidates for the state assembly elections, saying that it has ignored the demands of Billava community.
He also warned of possible contest of Billava leaders as independent candidates if tickets were not given by the party.
Speaking to media persons, the seer warned that the community will unitedly take a decision if political parties do not ensure equal representation of its members. Billava, Namadhari and Ediga communities were ignored in the first list of candidates released by the Congress. We will have to take a decision if the party do not give equal representation to the community members in the second list. In Dakshina Kannada, the Congress has given ticket to a member from the community only in Belthangady constituency. More than 11 persons from the community had submitted applications and paid Rs 2 lakh seeking Congress ticket from Dakshina Kannada, the seer said.
All of them have previous experience in politics and some of them are former mayors too. Out of the eight constituencies in the district, Billavas are in large numbers in six seats. The party should give tickets to at least two more Billava leaders in the district. Bantwal constituency has large number of Billavas and the seat should be reserved for the community, he said.
I have already spoken to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. I will visit Delhi again to hold discussion with the leaders. BJP and JD(S) also should consider giving tickets to more leaders from Billava, Namadhari and Ediga communities, he said.
A meeting of Billava leaders, who are Congress ticket aspirants, will be held in Mangaluru soon, he added.
