Mangaluru : Reacting to the allegation made by State Assembly Speaker Kagodu Timmappa on January 6, Monday Senior Congress leader B. Janardhana Poojary said that he will “tackle” Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa in the case of the latter reportedly criticising the functioning of the State government and its ministers.

Speaking in a press conference at district congress office on January 7, Tuesday, he said that he would not complain to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) over the issue. “I will tackle him,” he said.

Poojary said, he didnt know who Poojary was and which year he had entered into politics, I was the one who had given Kagodu ticket way back in 1987 when I was the president of AICC and now he is making such arrogant statement.”

Mr. Poojary alleged that the Speaker had crossed his boundaries by asking why there was a government in the State. He did not have the right to put such a question to a government elected by the people. He was violating the rules of a Speaker, Mr. Poojary alleged.

The former Union Minister of State for Finance in the Indira Gandhi Cabinet, said that he would ask the Speaker whether he was encouraging a revolt against the State government by criticising the functioning of the government and its ministers. The Speaker was acting like an Opposition, Mr. Poojary alleged.

At a point, Mr. Poojary claimed, that he had given Mr. Thimmappa the ticket to contest in Assembly elections.

Mr. Poojary also criticised the Speaker for criticising the functioning of Minister for Health and Family Welfare, U.T. Khader.

The former union minister suggested that Mr. Thimmappa should learn how to function as a Speaker and maintain the dignity of the position, from former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and present Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.

Congress leaders Vijaykumar Shetty, Harikrishna Bantwal, Kallige Taranath Shetty and Arun Coelho were present at the press conference.