Rai, a popular leader, wins over a margin of 30K votes: Sanjeev Poojary
Bantwala, May 4: Ramanath Rai is a popular leader in the constituency and he would win the election by a margin 30,000 votes due to his development works he has done in the constituency, Assembly constituency Congress Campaigning Committee president Sanjeev Poojary.
Speaking on the preparation of the party on the election here on Friday, he said that unable to tolerate the development works in Bantwala constituency, BJP leader Harikrishna Bantwal has been making false allegations against Rai to tarnish his image. But people of the constituency were aware of the fact, he said.
Both Congress and Rai had contributed a much for the welfare of the Billava community. In view of this, Billava community is supporting the Congress. Hailed from Billava community, BJP leader has failed to contribute anything for the community. But he is speaking against Rai and Janardhana Poojary. Because of anti-party activities, Harikrishna was expelled from the Congress, he said.
Based on his achievements and works in his political career, Rai would once again win the election. He has involved in politics for the last 40 years. Compared to other constituencies in the district, Rai has done good development works in the constituency, he said.
Though some Billava leaders were the aspirants of BJP tickets in some constituencies, Harikrishna did nothing to get them the tickets. BJP has been misusing the Billava community just for achieving Hindutva agenda. But Harikrishna is not questioning this. People of the community have understood this hypocrisy. As a result, Billava community youth have been joining the Congress, he said.
Contributions of Rai
Rai and Congress were instrumental in establishing Brahmashri Narayana Guru Study Centre at Mangalore University, Deyi Baidedi herbal plant at Gejjegiri Nandanabittili, naming the BC Road circle after Narayana Guru, financial assistance to majority of Billava community halls in the district, loan waiver of Murtedar Society and others.
On the basis of the recommendation of Rai and Janardhana Poojary, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced the Jayanti of Sri Narayana Guru as a public holiday and the community would never forget this decision. Congress has given various positions to Billava leaders, he claimed.
Both Rai and Janardhana Poojary have never criticized another religion. They have good relationship with people of all religions, he said.
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Two FIRs lodged against Mithun Chakraborty for 'provocative' speech
Kolkata, Nov 6: Two FIRs have been lodged against actor-turned-politician Mithun Chakraborty for allegedly making provocative statements during a BJP event in Salt Lake area near Kolkata last month, police said on Wednesday.
The complaints pertain to Chakraborty's speech on October 27 at the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC) in Salt Lake, during a BJP programme attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was in Kolkata to launch the party's West Bengal membership drive.
The first FIR was filed at the Bidhannagar South police station based on a complaint by an individual, while the second was lodged at Bowbazar police station.
"We have started an investigation into the case," a senior officer of Bidhannagar police said.
Shah was also present at the programme, which was organised to kick off the West Bengal leg of the BJP's membership drive. Shah had also felicitated Chakraborty for being honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award this year.
Although Chakraborty was unavailable for comment, BJP state president and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar described the FIRs a result of "vendetta politics.".
Majumdar alleged that the TMC government "has once again used the police to unfairly target well-known actor and senior BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty".
He accused the chief minister of employing such tactics "to serve political interests" and claimed that the state government's actions were part of an ongoing attempt to discredit political opponents.
"There is nothing provocative in his speech. These are nothing but attempts to intimidate him by using police as a political tool," he said.
TMC leader Kunal Ghosh dubbed the BJP's allegations as baseless.
"The allegations of political vendetta are baseless. He shouldn't have made such provocative remarks. The law will take its own course," he said.
Chakraborty, who received India's highest film honour, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, earlier this year, had asserted on October 27 that the 'masnad' (throne) of West Bengal would belong to the BJP after the 2026 assembly elections, promising to do whatever it takes to achieve the goal.
While speaking at the programme, Chakraborty, a BJP leader, said, "In 2026, the 'masnad' will be ours, and we will do everything to achieve the goal."
In an apparent reference to TMC MLA Humayun Kabir's communal remarks aimed at BJP workers during the Lok Sabha elections, Chakraborty had allegedly made provocative remarks.
Chakraborty cautioned that no one should attempt to intimidate saffron party voters into abstaining from voting in the next assembly elections.
He called upon the booth-level workers of his party to resist any such attempts.
