Poonja’s gesture towards political rival raises eyebrows

Belthangady, June 30, 2021: While politicians take credit for the successful projects even if they did not have any role in it, Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja’s statement raised eyebrows when he praised his political rival Vasanth Bangera.

The event was the inauguration of new buildings of Primary Health Center (PHC) at Kokkada.

Health and Family Welfare Minister and Medical Education Minister Dr. Sudhakar K were in Belthangady today to inaugurate the new buildings of PHCs at Charmadi and Kokkada.

The local MLA Harish Poonja who presided over the event thanked his predecessor and political rival Vasanth Bangera.
“This was the project initiated by former MLA Vasanth Bangera. I would like to thank him for this,” he said.

While it is common for the sitting MLA to take credit for the works that are completed during their tenure, Poonja’s statement came as a surprise to the people gathered at the event.

Poonja, the first time MLA of Belthangady had defeated five-time MLA and Congress stalwart Vasanth Bangera. While political blame game is part of politics, Poonja never indulged in this and now has gone a step ahead by appreciating his political rival.