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Harish Poonja (Kannada: ಹರೀಶ್ ಪೂಂಜ) is an Indian politician and member of the legislative assembly from Bharatiya Janata Party representing Belthangady constituency in Dakshina Kannada.

Controversies

Former MLA Vasanth Bangera and congress party workers organized a protest outside his office demanding to reveal the accounts for a flood relief fund setup under Harish Poonja's leadership.

A team of local villagers from Dharmasthala, met with Poonja requesting that he not issue any permissions for construction of hotels and guest houses in the temple town since it will lead to desecration of the place.

On 7th February, 2024 (Wednesday), Mr. Poonja wrote on the X (Twitter) that using the tax paid by Hindus for the welfare of other religious people is an injustice to Hindus. “Hindus’ tax, Hindus’ right”. He justified his controversial remark that “from the current financial year, the tax paid by Hindus should be used only for the welfare of Hindus.”

Political Career

In the 15th Karnataka Assembly election, Poonja defeated K. Vasantha Bangera, a five-time MLA from the Indian National Congress with a margin of 22,974 votes.

In the 16th Karnataka Assembly election, Harish Poonja was re-elected as the MLA for Belthangady constituency with a substantial lead of 18,216 votes, defeating Rakshith Shivaram from the Indian National Congress.

Personal life

Harish Poonja was attracted to RSS ideology as early as 6th year. He went to Balashaka near his village Padangadi in Belthangady Taluk. He studied in Kannada Medium School in his village. His parents still live in the village with their agricultural occupation.

References

1. "Elected Representatives | District Dakshina Kannada, Government of Karnataka | India". Retrieved 10 August 2021.
2. "Belthangady Assembly Election Result 2018: Belthangady Candidates Lists, Winners and Votes". www.indiatoday.in. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
3. "Beltangady: Congress gherao office of MLA Harish Poonja, demand accounts of flood compensation". www.daijiworld.com. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
4. Vinobha K. T. (7 March 2021). "Don't allow construction of new hotels in Dharmastala: Villagers | Mangaluru News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
5. "BJP MLA justifies his controversial remark that tax paid by Hindus should be used for welfare of Hindus only". The Hindu.
6. "Dakshina Kannada MLA dad's simplicity goes viral, wins hearts". The Times of India. 12 May 2019.

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