Mysore/Mysuru: In his first media briefing after being appointed as the new President of State BJP OBC Morcha Wing, senior BJP leader Raghu R. Kautilya, who is also former Chairman of Karnataka Exhibition Authority (KEA), has thanked party veteran and former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa (BSY), Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other National and State leaders for giving him such a big responsibility.

Addressing press persons at the BJP Office in Chamarajapuram here on Monday, Raghu Kautilya said that Shikaripur MLA B.Y. Vijayendra, son of BSY, has been appointed as the new State BJP Chief in order to bring about vigour among the party rank and file.

Pointing out that he has been appointed as the State OBC Morcha Wing President, Anil Thomas as State Minorities Wing President, while M. Rajendra has continued to be the State Vice-President, Raghu said that with this important appointments, Mysuru region has got a big opportunity to organise the party at the grassroots level.

Launching a tirade against the ruling Congress in the State, Raghu termed the Siddaramaiah Government as anti-farmer as it has done little for the farmers since the past seven months.

Charging the Congress Government of corruption and inactivity, he said that the Government seems to be more interested in freebies with the sole purpose of consolidating its vote bank.

Accusing the Siddaramaiah Government of exploiting the backward communities for its selfish ends, he alleged that the Government had failed in reaching out due benefits and facilities under various schemes to the backward communities and has also miserably failed in empowering them.

Stating that as many as 800 sub-castes and sub-sects of marginalised and most backward communities are yet to get power even in Gram Panchayats, he maintained that it is only BSY who gave political strength to OBCs.

Now PM Modi has launched Vishwakarma Scheme which is aimed at empowering neglected and marginalised communities across the country, he said and sought support of party leaders for making the party stronger ahead of forthcoming LS polls.

Raghu Kautilya and M. Rajendra were felicitated on the occasion. Also, floral tributes were offered to the portrait of former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee on his birth anniversary on Dec. 25.

Former Mayor Shivakumar, former Dy. Mayor Dr. G. Roopa, former MUDA Chairman Yashasvi Somashekar, former ZAK Chairman M. Shivakumar and Party Spokespersons Mahesh Raje Urs & Mahesh were present.