• He is the first MP from Mysuru to be re-elected for the second straight time in 30 years
• To invite Modi for International Yoga Day

Mysore: Attributing his victory entirely to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha has expressed gratitude to everyone who supported and worked for him in the Parliamentary elections, the results of which were announced on May 23.

Addressing a Thanksgiving Press Meet at Patrakarthara Bhavan here this morning, Pratap Simha paid obeisance to Goddess Cauvery, Goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of Mysuru and Lord Igguthappa for his victory.

Thanking MLAs K.G. Bopaiah, Appachu Ranjan, L. Nagendra and S.A. Ramdas, Mysuru-Kodagu Lok Sabha Poll In-Charge Vamanacharya and Co-Incharge Hirendra Shah, for their wholehearted support to him, Pratap Simha also thanked the media for its co-operation.

Recalling the campaign by State BJP Chief B.S. Yeddyurappa and other top Party leaders and the organisational skills of senior Party leader B.L. Santosh, the MP said that he was happy to note that he was the first MP from Mysuru to be re-elected since 1989.

Stating that Santosh played a big role in getting the Party ticket for him for the first time in the 2014 LS Polls from Mysuru-Kodagu seat, Simha said that he had all along maintained that he would win by a margin of over one lakh votes and this came to be true when he won by over 1.38 lakh votes.

Highlighting the role of Sangh Parivar workers in his emphatic victory, Simha said that there were Modi fans in Congress and JD(S) parties as well and all their votes too counted in his victory.

MP announces priorities

Explaining his plans for the next five years as an MP, Pratap Simha said that his priorities include electrification of Mysuru-Bengaluru Railway line, execution of Mysuru-Bengaluru ten-lane Highway, conversion of Mysuru-Madikeri Road into a four-lane Highway, Ring Road upgradation and commissioning of Naganahalli Satellite Station, among others.

Regarding development of Mysore Airport, the MP said that he will work for more air connectivity between Mysuru and many other cities.

Coming up with his vision for the overall development of Mysuru-Kodagu LS Constituency, Simha said that giving a big push to tourism and heritage in Mysuru-Kodagu region, creation of more jobs in the tourism sector, execution of Mysuru-Kushalnagar Railway track were among his agenda.

Ministerial berth

Replying to a question on his Ministerial aspiration, Simha said that he was not thinking about a Ministerial berth right now and he was more focussed on overall development of the Constituency.

Noting that senior Party leader V. Sreenivasa Prasad, who was elected from Chamarajanagar, is the voice of Dalits, Simha maintained that he will be the first to rejoice if Prasad was made a Union Minister.

Underlining his efforts to include Parivara and Talwar communities in the ST list, Simha said that he would carry forward his efforts till the goal is reached.

Reacting to Siddharamaiah’s criticism that he (Simha) had done little work as an MP, Simha presented a long list of his achievements, which included opening of a Post Office Passport Seva Kendra in Mysuru, development of Mysore Airport, granting of land for the construction of new DC Office Complex, expedition of Railway and Road projects.

To invite Modi for Yoga Day

Claiming that the Narendra Modi Government was like a Kamadhenu which gives everything that is asked for, the MP said that he will be leaving for Delhi tomorrow to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister on May 30.

He also said that he will extend an invitation to PM Modi to attend the International Yoga Day celebrations in Mysuru next month (June 21), with the city making all out efforts to enter the Guinness Book this time.

Commenting on the defeat of actor Prakash Rai from Bengaluru Central LS seat, Simha said that although Rai had lost his political battle, his identity as an actor remains intact and he (Simha) himself was a fan of the actor for his acting talent.

City BJP President Dr. B.H. Manjunath, BJP State Secretary M. Rajendra, leaders M.V. Ravi Shankar, Srivatsa and others were present.