Karnataka Rakshana Vedike says it wants civic body to issue auto and taxi permits to only those who speak Kannada

Taking cue from MNS, Kannada group to float political party, fight civic poll

Karnataka Rakshana Vedike says it wants civic body to issue auto and taxi permits to only those who speak Kannada

THE Karnataka Rakshana Vedike is all set to do an MNS in the city. The pro-Kannada organisation has decided

to enter the Bruhat bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), and among its first aims is to make autorickshaw drivers speak Kannada.

The Karnataka Rakshana Vedike will contest the panchayat polls next, with an eye on the assembly poll after that. Once the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike is in the corporation, Gowda said it will see to it that permits for autos and taxis are given to only those who can speak Kannada.u00a0

He said it also wanted all roads and parks to be namedu00a0 only after Kannadigas and it that would urge the government to change existing names. It will try to bring in a policy that civil contracts be given only to Kannadigas.

"Our aim is to get justice for Kannadigas in the land of Kannada," said Gowda. "Enough is enough. Now, we have to do whatever we want to do with authority. For this we need statutory power and hence we are entering politics." Vedike will contest 40-50 wards. The BBMP house has 198 seats.

"To start with, we will contest from the wards with a strong Kannada base, and we are not depending on votes of others, as we know they will not vote for us," said Gowda. "Like they have a Congress vote bank and a BJP vote bank, we have to create a Kannada vote bank, and we will do it."

IS the Vedike inspired by the Shiva Sena or the MNS in Mumbai?
"No," said Gowda. "In fact, they are inspired by us on many counts. We were the first to strive for Railways examinations to be held in Kannada, and MNS repeated it in Mumbai."

But he conceded that the idea of making a foray into politics was taken from the Shiv Sena and the MNS.
However, Gowda said the Vedike would not impose its ideology on anybody when it talks about protecting the interests of Kannadigas.

"We will make everyone respect the sentiments of the people of the land in an official way and that is
why we are contesting polls," said Gowda.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels