Former Minister B Janardhan Poojary aide to Billavas: Unite!
As part of this initiative, Harikrishna plans to organise 'Jago Billavas,' an awareness programme for the community in the district.
Mangaluru: Alleging that Billava community, one of the strongest communities in the coastal district, is being sidelined by political parties, former KPCC spokesperson Harikrishna Bantwal has now taken up the cause of uniting Billavas and other Backward Class Communities.
As part of this initiative, Harikrishna plans to organise 'Jago Billavas,' an awareness programme for the community in the district. Harikrishna is a close aide of former Minister B Janardhan Poojary and was in the Congress for 34 years until he was suspended for contesting the Legislative Council election against the Congress candidate a few months ago. He is the spokesperson of Rashtriya Billava Mahamandala and had the backing of Billava community when he contested the Council election succeeding in getting the votes of 127 members from the local authorities seat.
"Castes and communities which are in a majority, enjoy power in various parts of the country but in coastal Karnataka, it is the opposite. Billavas are in majority in 11 of the 13 assembly segments in Udupi and DK district. Our community plays a major role in the victory of any candidate in 11 Assembly constituencies. But we have no representation in the cabinet or even in state-run boards or corporations. We have only three MLAs. But Christians have an MLA, MLC and Rajya Sabha member. Muslims have two MLAs including a minister. The minorities also enjoy good posts in boards and corporations. Are OBCs only to serve and not lead?," Bantwal questioned.
"My 'Jago Billavas,' programme is aimed at creating political awareness in the community and unite them to ensure that the community gets proper representation. We will also include Other Backward Class communities in our struggle. National political parties have neglected Billavas and OBCs. OBCs comprise about 75 per cent votes in the region. Our demand is to provide representation to Billavas and all Other Backward Class (OBC) in politics," he said while not ruling out the formation of a separate political party if the national parties neglect OBCs.