Udupi: BJP goes on protest against highway expansion project

Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Mar 14: The district BJP on Saturday March 15 held a massive padayatra (rally on foot) and protest at Parkala here, against the proposed expansion of the national highway from Udupi to Teerthahalli via Hebri and Agumbe.

BJP Lok Sabha candidate and former energy minister Shobha Karandlaje inaugurated the padayatra while the protest was led by former MLA Raghupati Bhat.

Addressing the gathering, Shobha Karandlaje said that the Congress government had completely failed to provide an able administration. Training guns on union transport minister Oscar Fernandes who hails from Udupi and under whose ministry the highway expansion project will be undertaken, she said there was no need to learn any lesson in administration from Oscar.

"When BJP was in power in the state, several development works had been undertaken in Udupi. But the Congress government as failed to do so. The people of the coastal region, especially farmers, fishermen and backward classes are facing several problems, but the government has failed to address their grievances. I will strive to become the voice of the people if I am elected," she said.

Backing former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa along with whom Karandlaje rejoined the BJP in January, she said, "Yeddyurappa is a wise person and a true leader. He was the first person to bring railway services to city area. It is no exaggeration to say that most of the developments in the transport sector were done by the BJP during its regime."

Referring to the expansion plans of the highway, she said, "The present government should suggest alternative ways to existing problems. We cannot get back our lands with just compensation. It is not enough. Hence Oscar Fernandes, MP (J P Hegde) and MLA (Pramod Madhwaraj of Udupi should withdraw this highway widening project at the earliest."

She further said, "The nation is facing economica and political crisis due to the Congress-led UPA government. For all the problems there is only one solution - Narendra Modi (BJP PM candidate). The upcoming elections will prove the power of BJP."

Karandlaje said she was selected as the candidate from Udupi-Chikmagalur constituency as she wishes to become the voice of the people here. "If I win the election, I will render my service with dedication to the poor in the rural areas. We need support of the people. It is not a question of winning the election alone, but more so of the future of the people here," she said.

Raghupati Bhat in his address spoke about the mismanagement of the ruling party and explained the demerits of the highway expansion project, and the problems of the municipality with regard to shortage of water supply.

Udupi district BJP chief Thingale Vikaramjuna Hegde, Raghavendra Kini, BJP city president, former district BJP president Udaykumar Shetty, Dinkar Herga, former BJP president Upendra Naik, zilla panchayat president Narasimha Naik and others were present.