Once the ‘war’ starts, we are all one: Shobha on dissidence in Udupi BJP

Udupi, Mar 9: BJP leader and Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje said that there was no dissidence in the party over her candidature from the constituency which includes a coastal and a malnad district.

Replying to queries from presspersons after releasing a booklet on her achievements as MP in the last five years, Ms. Karandlaje said that whatever be the differences among the party leaders and workers, after elections are announced, all of them backed the candidate selected by the high command. “Once the war (elections) starts, we are all one,” she said.

To a question, Ms. Karandlaje said that if Sumalatha were to stand as an independent candidate from the Mandya parliamentary constituency, the BJP would consider supporting her. Asked if the BJP would induct her into its fold, Ms. Karandlaje said that now Ms. Sumalatha was in the Congress.

“But if she decides to join the BJP, she is welcome,” she said.

Answering a question, Ms. Karandlaje said that if the Muslim community agreed to have the Ram Temple, the issue would get resolved and the dreams of the Hindus would get realised. However, if mediation efforts lead to a solution, it too would be good, she said.

Ms. Karandlaje said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had fulfilled the assurances he had given to the people of the country during the 2014 parliamentary elections.

Mr. Modi’s administration had achieved military and diplomatic successes. There was development in the country. Corruption had been reined in, she said.

Kota Srinivas Poojary, Leader of the Opposition in Legislative Council, and Raghupati Bhat, MLA, were present.