Seer urges enhancement of reservation for Vokkaliga community

Mysore/Mysuru:  Sphatikapuri Mahasamsthana Mutt Seer Sri Nanjavadhoota Swamiji has urged Vokkaliga community leaders in all political  parties to take up the cause of enhancement of reservation for the community which is currently under distress.

He was speaking at the programme organised for the inauguration of District Unit of Akhila Karnataka Vokkaligara Sangha, installation of office-bearers, issuance of nomination letters, conferment of ‘Dr. Balagangadharnatha Swamy Seva Ratna’ award and presentation of Pratibha Puraskar at Negilayogi Seva Sabha Bhavan near Malalavadi Court Complex in Jayanagar here on Sunday.

Maintaining that there were many poor and deprived sections in Vokkaliga community which has a sizeable population in the State, the Swamiji wanted the political parties to announce their stand on hiking  reservation for the community.

Demanding 16 percent reservation for the community, the Seer urged Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha, MLA L. Nagendra, MLC C.N. Manjegowda and Congress leader K. Harish Gowda to exert pressure on their respective parties in this regard.

MP Pratap Simha, in his address, said it is a matter of pride that Nadaprabhu Kempegowda built Bengaluru, which is now the State capital.

Pointing out that Bengaluru accounts for 60 percent of the revenues earned by the State Government, Simha said that a magnificent statue of Kempegowda has come up near Bengaluru Airport. He also recounted the services of former CM S.M. Krishna and former PM H.D. Deve Gowda for the State.

Karnataka Vokkaligara Sangha Hon. President Dr. Anjanappa, Mysuru District Journalists Association President S.T. Ravikumar (RK), Devaraja ACP Shantamallappa, MMC&RI faculty Dr. B.N. Raveesh, Suyog Hospital’s Dr. S.P. Yoganna, Lions Club President Prathima Krishna, Builder M.L. Nageshmurthy, Siddhartha Sports Club President Suresh Gowda, Karnataka Government Employees Association District President Govindaraju, Mysuru Hotel Owners Association President C. Narayanagowda and other achievers from the community were conferred with ‘Dr. Balagangadharanatha Swamy Seva Ratna’ award on the occasion.

MLC C.N. Manjegowda distributed nomination letters to 55 office-bearers of the Sangha, while MLA L. Nagendra and Congress leader K. Harish Gowda presented Pratibha Puraskar to meritorious students of the community. Akhila Karnataka Vokkaligara Sangha State President Naganna Banasawadi, Hon. President C.G. Gangadhar, Vice-President C.R. Srinivasgowda, District President Tejesh Lokesh Gowda, Women’s Wing President Sumithra Ramesh and others were present.