water
He was speaking to the media after being welcomed into the city by his supporters on Friday.
The visit was his first since his appointment on Thursday.
The district is struggling for want of proper water supply facilities, he said, and added that he would try to solve the problem by ‘appealing to Chief Minister D V Sadananda
Gowda and BJP state unit president K S Eeshwarappa for more funds for the district’.
Road repair
“The next issue to focus on would be repair of roads. Most of the important roads are in very bad shape,” he rued and promised, “The entire look of the roads in the district will be changed in just three months.”
When asked if he would unify the Ahinda communities and continue in the BJP, Varthur said he could not take any decision till the end of the term of the current government.
“Later, I will discuss the matter with my supporters and well-wishers and move ahead,” Varthur added.
On the matter of portfolio, the new minister said he had no priority, but would ‘perform diligently in any portfolio given by the Chief Minister’.
He expressed gratitude to the voters, supporters and well-wishers, who helped him move from being a legislator to becoming a minister. He also promised to live up to their expectations and serve the people honestly.
The supporters welcomed the minister near the Anjaneya Temple in Kondarajanahalli at 2.30 pm on Friday.
Rejoice
Crackers were burst and flowers flung all around. Some people even smeared colours on one another and danced about. Keelu-kudure and wooden-leg doll artistes performed as part of the procession. Transgenders too participated in welcoming the minister.
City Municipal Council commissioner Shalini congratulated Varthur by presenting him a bouquet.
The minister went about the city in an open vehicle starting from the Clock Tower Circle. The procession then moved to Tekal Road and other important streets of the city.
Leaders G S Amarnath, Manjunath, Vakkaleri Ramu, Begli Suryaprakash, C Raghuram as well as activists of the Varthur Yuva Sene participated in the procession.