MANGALURU: BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel said that Sullia MLA S Angara is a honest politician, who never spoke against the party even when he was not given the minister’s post after winning from Sullia six times in a row.
Kateel said B S Yediyurappa also had to wait for 45 years to become the chief minister. “Angara also never dreamt about the minister’s post. I am confident that Yediyurappa will continue as chief minister till the end of his tenure and the party will get 150 seats in the next election,” Kateel said after felicitating Angara, who arrived in Mangaluru for the first time after becoming a minister.
Kateel said “A year ago, when I became the state president of BJP, the cabinet was formed, but Angara’s name was not there in the list of ministers. I felt unhappy because Angara has been a dedicated politician who never sought any positions in the party. I decided that Angara should be given due recognition since he has won from the constituency six times. He is equally strong like Yediyurappa, who has won seven times,” Kateel said, expressing confidence that Angara will work efficiently as a minister.
Recalling his association with Angara in the RSS, Kateel said that they completed several training sessions of the Sangha together.
“In BJP, only those who work honestly will get due recognition. Angara has a simple personality. He was using only KSRTC buses to travel though he is entitled to travel in flights. It is an example that our party recognises everyone who works efficiently. However, party workers in Congress continue to observe death anniversaries of their leaders without getting any recognition,” Kateel ridiculed.
Acknowledging the felicitation, Angara said though BJP workers were upset for not making him a minister, he did not speak against the party since he was an obedient worker. “There were occasions when I shed tears in party meetings. From 1989, I have been taking life as a challenge and been working like an ordinary party worker. I have the blessings of Kadri Manjunath. Our party is the reason for whatever the positions I have been given. I will work efficiently to discharge my duties as a minister,” he added.