Udupi: Hundreds of BJP leaders and workers gave a momentous reception to the new Minister for Mujrai and Ports Kota Srinivas Poojari on his arrival to the town on a maiden visit after taking charge as minister.

The Minister along with the new MLC Monappa Bhandari was honoured at a function held at the Sheshadri Hall on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Poojari said a ministership was something he least expected and that he had been to Bangalore on the oath taking day only to support the Kundapur MLA, when Eswharappa informed him that he would be inducted into the cabinet.

Udupi MLA Raghupathi Bhat said Poojari has today been elevated as a minister despite him making humble beginnings right from the grassroots level.

Chairman of the third finance commission task force A G Kodgi, MP Nalin Kumar, Udupi Zilla Panchayat President Katapady Shanker Poojari and several BJP leaders including MLC Capt. Ganesh Karnik, Udaykumar Shetty, Kiran Kumar and others were present.

The new minister was also accorded a grand welcome in Kaup by the local MLA Lalaji Mendon and other leaders.