Mysuru – Losing cool at the allegations levelled against him by the Congress party that he forced Nanjangud electorate to go to polls prematurely, former Minister and BJP candidate for Nanjangud by-election V. Sreenivasa Prasad has said that the by-election was a fight between Swabhimana (self-respect) and Durahankara (arrogance).

Speaking to reporters at a private hotel here this morning, Sreenivasa Prasad said that he has never indulged in selfish politics as accused by the Congress. “The Congress has accused me of being power-hungry. I have never gone behind power in my 42-year-old political career.”

“CM Siddharamaiah is arrogant and full of ego. People of Nanjangud and Gundlupet will teach him a lesson,” Sreenivasa Prasad said and added that it was the CM’s way of treating his Ministers that forced the election, not because of him (Prasad).

Continuing his tirade at Siddharamaiah, Sreenivasa Prasad said that if the CM wanted to build an effective Cabinet, he could have consulted him (Prasad) instead of unceremoniously dropping him. “Even if the CM had spoken to me for 5 minutes, I would have given up my Ministry,” he said and questioned if Congress leader Mallikarjuna Kharge’s son Priyank Kharge was more effective than him (Prasad)

Claiming that he had initiated several developmental works as a Revenue Minister, Sreenivasa Prasad said, “The CM, who wears a diamond watch worth Rs. 80 lakh, must introspect and realise that mine was the most efficient and effective Ministry in his Cabinet. CM’s ego will be destroyed after the results come,” he said.

On KPCC President and Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara, Prasad said that he was a rich Dalit, owning a couple of educational institutions including engineering and medical colleges. “Parameshwara has no ethics to speak against me or the oppressed class. He paid money to Congress high command to ensure party ticket in the last elections,” Prasad alleged.

Former Deputy Chief Minister R. Ashok, who was also present at the press conference, said that the government that was fast asleep since the last 4 years has woken up to the by-elections. “The State Police are confused as to who holds the Home portfolio, whether it is Siddharamaiah, Parameshwara or former IPS officer Kempaiah,” he ridiculed.

Former MUDA chairmen C. Basavegowda and K.R. Mohan Kumar, BJP leader Yashaswini Somashekar and Karnataka State Hotel Owners’ Association President M. Rajendra and others were present.