Arrested leader of party's women's cell says she was forced to trade in leopard skin to recoup money she donated to party coffers
Arrested leader of party's women's cell says she was forced to trade in leopard skin to recoup money she donated to party coffersPoaching and not politics appears to be the last refuge of the scoundrel in Karnataka. Bela Vasanthi (50), the state organising secretary of JD (S) women's cell, blames her party for pushing her into the world of crime.
Vasanthi was arrested by the police's forest cell yesterday as she tried to sell a leopard skin for Rs 3 lakh to forest officials posing as buyers at the Woodland hotel.
"I have been a member of the Janata Dal (Secular) for over a decade now. What did I get in return? Nothing.
This despite the fact that I have emptied my coffers for the party. Our leaders enjoyed power and made money. Party members like me have been left in the lurch.
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| Bela Vasanthi with the leopard skin she was caught trying to sell at Woodland Hotel yesterday. |
They have turned us into criminals," said Vasanthi, who told her that Kumar, a member of JD (S) youth wing had supplied the skin to her.
"He told me that the business was lucrative and assured me that the money earned from sale of animal skins would aid us in our political career and help us live a good life," Vasanthi said.
Hasan-resident Kumar is absconding. The police have registered a case against him.
"Kumar spent Rs 10 lakh when our party faced the Chamundeswary by-poll in 2007," said Vasanthi.
"It was a prestigious election for the party and we put all we had on the gamble. However, once the polls were over our leaders had no time to look at us."
H D Kumaraswamy, the then chief minister and JD (S) chief, had fought the by-poll as a matter of honour. Siddaramiah, who had defected from the JD (S) to join Congress managed to win despite all odds.
Party members were upset with Kumaraswamy because he did not nominate them to boards and corporations in the state despite being chief minister.
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| Bela Vasanthi says she was misguided by 'bad elements' |
Many disgruntled members of his party had at the time defected to the BJP.
"I was among many party workers aspiring for a nomination. However, despite pouring out all our wealth, I did not get anything," said Vasanthi.
"I am not a criminal. I was misguided by some bad elements. I will never repeat this.
It is sad that no party leader came to my rescue when I was grilled by forest officials and the police at the Sampangiramnagar police station," she added.
| The Other Side |
| YSV Datta, MLC and JD (S) spokesperson, said, "A political party does not ensure an income or earnings for its members. Politics involves pursuing a service-oriented public life. A lack of income is no excuse for taking to crime." Terming it as the most unfortunate thing, Milind Dharmasena, general secretary, JD (S), said, "The party doesn't expect anyone to spend money on it. Those who can afford it should contribute to the party fund. Others can render service in other ways." |
