Udupi: Rich tributes were offered at the public homage, cutting across party lines, to late Ananth Kumar, national leader of BJP on Thursday, November 22 at the Town Hall at Ajjarakad near here.

Floral tributes were offered to the photograph of Ananth Kumar by political leaders of various parties and also the seer of Pejawar Math, Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji.

Speaking on the occasion Pejawar Swamiji said, “Late Ananth Kumar has given selfless service to both the state and the country. He has shouldered the responsibility of assembly elections in an excellent manner. The country has witnessed his capability. He was in the good books of the Prime Minister Modi. So Ananth was made the in-charge for the elections of other states also. He was liked by one and all due to his courteous and spirited character,”

“Passing time by chatting to Ananth itself was a matter of happiness. My contact with Ananth was unabated from the fourth Paryaya to the fifth Paryaya. He used to mingle with everyone regardless of the party affiliation. Ananth played an important role in the construction of Kanaka Mantap during my fourth Paryaya. In addition, his contribution was vital in the development of Pajaka Kshetra, PPC College in Bengaluru and the organization in Delhi. He had given encouragement to many social and spiritual programmes. Let his leadership be an inspiration to the younger generation. Let the God grant eternal rest to his soul. Let hundred of leaders like Ananth Kumar be born in this country again. Let all the political leaders work for the development of the state as well as the country, keeping aside the party affiliations,” Swamiji added.

Offering his tribute to the late leader, MLA C T Ravi said, “State BJP president Yeddyurappa and late Ananth Kumar used to work as the hardware and software of the state of Karnataka. They have worked like Luv and Kush in building the party in the state. Ananth used to help the MLAs and MPs of all political parties. He was the link between Karnataka and Delhi. It is impossible that anyone else will have the leadership character like him,”

“Ananth had taken oath not to divulge his ill-health to his children. His death is extremely unexpected for the whole country. He did not want people to look at him with pity, if they came to know about his ill-health. He always wanted to leave the impression of his old active face in the minds of people. Though he knew that his end was near, he did not get scared in his political work. He brought glory to his ministry as well as the party due to his unique style of working,” remembered C T Ravi.

Remembering late Ananth, Kota Srinivas Poojary, leader of opposition in legislative council, said, “Ananth Kumar was a sensitive and farsighted politician. ‘One should perform his duty without expecting the result’, was his view. He used to correct political leaders in various matters. If everyone inculcates his ideals, BJP will grow stronger in Karnataka,”

Expressing her views on the late leader, Shobha Karandlaje, MP and chief secretary of the state BJP, said, “I had the opportunity of working with Ananth continuously. BJP has lost its head with the death of Ananth Kumar. He played a stellar role in making both government and organization work in tandem. He always kept his word when he was the state BJP president. I did not get the opportunity to see him after he was hospitalized.

He took active part in the tour of immersing the ashes of Late Vajpayee in various places. His body was very weak. Still he worked in the state assembly election with enthusiasm as per the orders of the national president of the party. Only Ananth himself could challenge Ananth. An incident which no one expected occurred in the country with his death,”

MLAs of the district K Raghupati Bhat, V Sunil Kumar, Lalaji R Mendon, Halady Srinivas Shetty, B M Sukumar Shetty, former MP Jayaprakash Hegde, district BJP president Mattaru Ratnakar Hegde, senior leader Somashekar Bhat and other dignitaries took part in the programme.