Karwar: “I never speak without any basis. Even now, I stand by my statement against Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Anant Kumar Hegde”, Janata Dal(Secular) leader Anand Asnotikar averred justifying his June 30 statement.

Briefing reporters, in Karwar, on Tuesday, Asnotikar said Hegde spoke about ruling BJP changing the Constitution prepared by Dr B R Ambedkar.

He abused litterateurs as parasites. He said those with secular mindset live on the mercy of the influential. So, I called him (Hegde) a ‘loafer.’

“Anant Kumar Hegde does not have decency. On occasions, he has gone to the extent of assaulting Visveshwar Hegde Kageri (at a BJP meeting), the then BJP district unit president Shivaram Hebbar, party worker Jagadish Birkodikar and Sirsi hospital doctor”, Asnotikar said reiterating that he is fully aware of the words he has been using against Hegde. 

Asnotikar alleged that Hegde was acting like the ‘British’ dividing and ruling the Hindus. “He can go to any extent for winning votes. I just hope that ‘Mangaluru culture’ does not come to Uttara Kannada”, he said.

On BJP leader Sunil Hegde’s allegation casino bouncers in Goa had hit him, Asnotikar said he has followers in Goa and his followers would not have taken it lightly.