Billava seer alleges disparity in Cong seat distribution

Mangaluru: Pranavananda Swamiji of Brahmashree Narayana Guru Shakti peetha, Kalaburgi has alleged disparity in the distribution of seats by the Congress for the assembly elections.
He told reporters here on Monday that the Billava community was ignored by the Congress while issuing tickets to aspirants. “Political parties speak about social justice, but Billava community has been ignored by the Congress in Dakshina Kannada district. Out of eight constituencies in the district, the Congress has given ticket to Billava community only in Belthangady constituency. I have no objections in issuing party tickets to other communities. However, why did the party ignore such a prominent community? A total of eight aspirants from the community including Billava leader R Padmaraj had applied for Congress ticket in Dakshina Kannada, but only one has been considered. If the party can give all the eight seats to one community in Mandya, why cant it consider Billava community in Dakshina Kannada,” he sought to know.
The seer said that the BJP has given two seats to the community in Dakshina Kannada. “I have spoken to Congress leaders and also warned that an awareness padayatra will be held from Bantwal to Ullal via Mangaluru seeking representation for the community. We are not opposing the Congress, but demanding representation for the community,” he said.
Further, the seer said, “We demand representation for the community from Uttar Kannada, Shivamogga and Dakshina Kannada in the next Lok Sabha elections.