Basavaraj Horatti, MLC, on Thursday launched his campaign for the Legislative Council elections, scheduled for June, through an interactive meeting of office-bearers of teachers’ organisations.
He said that teachers’ organisations were supposed to fight for the rights and demands of teachers irrespective of government recognition.
Teachers from Haveri, Gadag, Uttara Kannada and Dharwad districts took part in the programme.
Mr. Horatti also released ‘Antarangada Matu’, an appeal to the voters of the Karnataka West Teachers’ Constituency in the form of a letter.
Achievements
Listing out his achievements during the six terms as MLC since 1980, Mr. Horatti said that his election for the first time was the result of the agitation initiated through the Karnataka Madhyamika Shala Noukarara Sangha.
Referring to the statements by his detractors and the questions being raised by them through the social media, the former Minister claimed that he had made honest efforts to solve teachers’ issues during his tenure as the Primary and Secondary Education Minister and he was open to any debate on the issue.
Referring to the remarks of Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from the constituency, M. Nagaraj, Mr. Horatti said that while he and his association had published year-wise reports about their work, he would seek a similar report from the eight BJP leaders who were also representing teachers.
“If Mr. Nagaraj is seeking a new face for the constituency, he should also seek a similar change in other constituencies too which are being represented by senior BJP leaders,” Mr. Horatti said.
The former Director of Department of Public Instruction Siddarama Manahalli released Mr. Horatti’s letter to the electorate.
Later, teachers, former teachers and former education department officials addressed the gathering. It was followed by an interaction session.
