M. Virupakshi, newly appointed district president of Janata Dal (Secular), says his party is confident of winning Raichur Rural and Manvi constituencies in the next Assembly polls.
Addressing the first media conference after assuming office as the district president at Reporters’ Guild here on Tuesday, Mr. Virupakshi said that he would concentrate on restructuring the party’s taluk units and strengthen the party from booth level.
“Compared with many other districts, we have in a better position in Raichur with two MLAs and many elected members to the local governing bodies. We have also captured Raichur Zilla Panchayat striking an alliance with the BJP. Our next goal is to double our strength in terms of MLA seats. Considering our party’s support base at grassroots level, we can surely snatch Raichur Rural and Manvi constituencies from BJP and Congress respectively in the next Assembly election,” he said.
No discontent
Mr. Virupakshi said that his appointment as district president was unanimous and in consultation with all district leaders, including Manappa Vajjal and Shivaraj Patil, MLAs of Lingasugur and Raichur respectively, Hanumanthappa Alkod, former Minister, and Venkatarao Nadagowda, former MLA from Sindhanur.
“The State leadership consulted all the district leaders and appointed me. It is true that there was some disappointment among the aspirants who were in the race with me for the post. Now, we all are united for a cause putting aside our differences and disappointments and working for the party,” he said.
He also announced that party leaders N. Shivashankar, Ramakrishna and Danappa Yadav were appointed as working president, general secretary and secretary respectively of the district unit of the party.
