PM Modi recalls legacy of Udupi in growth of BJP as national party

UDUPI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday struck a chord with the local electorate reminiscing about BJPs connect with this temple town.
The PM recalled how people of the city had voted for candidates of the saffron party more than 40 years ago, when it was hardly known anywhere. Example of electoral success in the municipality then was being mentioned elsewhere across the nation in party circles, he said.
"Udupi is success story for the Jan Sangh and I salute the workers who helped achieve this,” Modi said while addressing an election rally at MGM College ground.
The silver medal achievement of Gururaja Poojary of Kundapur in the recently-concluded Commonwealth Games was another major mention. “I had an opportunity to interact with Commonwealth medalists in New Delhi recently and also talked with Gururaja, a local lad, about his life and achievements,” Modi said to loud cheers from the crowd. “It is the exploits of youths such as Gururaja that enhances the name of the nation,” Modi said, extolling rural talent who struck it big in a major sporting event.
Modi also paid tributes to the doyens of banking including T M A Pai, Khan Bahadur Haji Abdullah Haji Kasim Saheb Bahadur and A B Shetty, from this part of the state. He also paid tribute to the city’s prowess in the field of education. “Every time any major academic results are announced, we find the toppers are from Udupi,” he said adding that one must salute the perseverance of students, teachers and their parents who have carved a niche for themselves in this area.