MLAs urge govt. to remove Bilimale as chairman of KDA

Mangaluru City North MLA Y. Bharat Shetty demanded on Thursday that the State government should remove Purushottama Bilimale as Chairman of Kannada Development Authority (KDA) and suo motu register a case against him for “insulting” Yakshagana artists by stating that “homosexuality prevails among Yakshagana artists”.

Addressing press persons here Mr. Shetty said that statement of Mr. Bilimale has hurt artists and Yakshagana fans.

“Mr. Bilimale has misused his power as the chairman of the authority and hurt the sentiments of Yakshagana lovers,” the MLA said.

Since no Congress leader or government authority have responded, Mr. Bilimale’s statement appears to be Congress sponsored, Dr. Shetty said.

Yakshagana artist Sarapady Ashok Shetty said that Mr. Bilimale should not have made such a statement. Yakshagana has contributed a lot to save Kannada. Being the chairman of an authority constituted by the government to promote Kannada, Mr. Bilimale has lowered the morale of artists. His statement is condemnable and the government should sack him as the chairman.

Yakshagana artists Satish Shetty Bondel and Ravi Alevooraya were present.

At a separate press conference here on Thursday, Mangaluru City South MLA D. Vedavyasa Kamath too demanded the removal of Mr. Bilimale as the chairman of the authority. The chairman has insulted Yakshagana, Mr. Kamath said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bilimale has expressed regret over his statement and said that he did not intend to hurt any sentiments. He added that his words had been quoted out of context, leading to misunderstanding.