Pics: Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Nov 15: As confirmed by Daijiworld on Sunday November 13, the Yashwanthpur - Karwar train finally became a reality when it chugged into Udupi late in the evening on Monday November 14.
But it was amusing to see political parties, specially Congress and BJP, vying with each other to take credit, lauding their respective party leaders.
Both Congress and BJP supporters gathered in big numbers to welcome the first train extended to Karwar from Yashwanthpur, Bangalore.
When the train arrived at Udupi Raiway station, in a simple ceremony Katapady ZP president Shankar Poojary, John Rebello, S S Tonse, Ramachandra Acharya, Shekhar Kotian, S T Kundar, Madhusoodan and others were present to welcome it and express their happiness. Sweets were distributed.
But the real drama unfolded when both Congress and BJP began shouting slogans to take credit for this achievement, for which thousands of commuters were waiting for years.
For Congress, former Karnataka minister, and probable candidate for the upcoming Udupi-Chikmaglur Lok Sabha bypoll Jayaprakash Hegde took the lead. He along with other Congress leaders Amrith Shenoy, Krishnamuthy Acharya, Keerthi Shetty, Divakar Kundar, Yatish Karkera, Umesh Naik, Birthi Rajesh Shetty, Janardhan Bhandarkar, Prakyath Shetty, Yuvaraj, Naresh Kamath, Ganesh Raj, Yajnesh Acharya, Anandi and others were present to welcome the train. But banners were seen everywhere outside the station with images of Rahul Gandhi, railway minister of state Muniappa, AICC secretary Oscar Fernandes, E Ahmed, and others.
Speaking to Daijiworld J P Hegde said that this has happened only because of the marathon efforts of Congress, especially its pressure from the region. "We have been constantly in touch with our ministers at the centre. Mamatha Bannerjee had earlier promised us, but after that the file did not appear, finally due to the efforts of minister Muniappa and our own Oscar Fernandes the dream of Bangalore - Karwar train has materialised," he said.
On the other hand, on behalf of BJP, leaders like V Hegde, Ravi Amin, Katapady Shankar Poojary, Geethanjali Shetty, Gladys Almeida and others were present to welcome the train.
"It was the efforts of our MP and state chief minister Sadananda Gowda. It was the dream of our CM to extend the train to Karwar. In the next few days, there will also be a halt at Kundapur," said Iqbal Hejamady, BJP leader speaking to Daijiworld.
Looking at the tug of war for the 'train' credit, JD(S) district president of Udupi Devi Prasad Shetty told Daijiworld that JD(S) had fought for the cause, and today it has been realised. "You can't give credit only to the state government, it is a joint effort of the state and the centre. Kumaraswamy has worked for this cause," he said.