Karnataka Cabinet: Displeasure among Billavas as community leaders sidelined

Mangaluru: Congress’ Billava leaders have expressed their displeasure over the non-selection of leaders from the coastal Billava community for ministerial posts in the state.

Addressing a press conference in Mangaluru on Saturday, Congress leader Pratibha Kulai said she was upset with the party’s decision. There were expectations that Vidhan Parishad member B.K. Hariprasad or Harish Kumar could get a ministerial position but both have been overlooked, she said, adding that an appeal has been made to the state leadership to give appropriate posts to Billava leaders.

Reacting to  Praveen Nettar’s wife losing her job, Pratibha Kulai said that the nature of the job given by BJP was just a contractual one. “If BJP was so concerned, they should have given a permanent posting. It is our responsibility to give a government job to Nettaru’s wife who belongs to our community,” she said.

Umesh Dandakeri, Ganesh Poojary, Neeraj Pal, Padmanabha Kotian, and Ullas Kotian were present.