Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)
Kundapur, Oct 12: A heated argument broke out between the members of the BJP and the Congress at a groundbreaking ceremony Trasi seashore here on Thursday October 12, after the former blamed Congress for not inviting Byndoor MP Yeddyurappa as a guest for the programme.
The incident took place at Trasi beach where the groundbreaking ceremony for the proposed project of conservation of seashore at Maravanthe was taking place. The project has been undertaken with funds from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) at a cost of Rs 92.23 crore.
Members of BJP, who came to the auditorium when the formal programme began after the groundbreaking ceremony, expressed ire at the Congress for 'neglecting' MP Yeddyurappa and not informing the local panchayat about the programme. They also demanded clarification on the matter.
As BJP workers took district in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj and MLA K Gopala Poojary to task, there was chaos in the auditorium. The workers claimed that the project had become a reality as the union government provided surety for the funds from ADB. "There is not even a picture of our MP on the flex banners of the programme. The government has insulted the MP. Neither the members of gram panchayat nor the president knew about it. The MLA has conducted the programme as if it is the programme of Congress party. This is an open attempt to insult the MP and gram panchayat president,” they said.
Further, the BJP members present at the venue stopped zilla panchayat member Shobha G Putran from joining the guests on the dais. They claimed that the MLA is indulging in politics by inviting only some members and ignoring others. "Who hung the flex on the national highway and what is the reason for not including the picture of the MP?" they asked.
Trying to control the situation from going worse, MLA K Gopal Poojary said that MP Yeddyurappa was informed about the programme. "The groundbreaking ceremony is being held on the date given by the district in-charge minister and it is not necessary to ask the MP. There is no part of MP in the approval of the project. If the project is approved by the MP, there will be documents about the same. The work was done due to my personal efforts. I will say it in Varaha Swami temple by ringing the bell there. If the MP has done it, let him ring the bell there and take a vow in the temple," he challenged.
As arguments were increasing, district in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj curtailed the programme and left the place conveying his best wishes. BJP workers meanwhile shouted party slogans condemning the actions of the minister and the MLA.
Byndoor BJP president Sadananda Uppinakudru, backward classes morcha leader Ananda Kharvi, taluk panchayat member Surendra Kharvi Gangolli, Karan Poojary Talluru, Ravi Ganiga, Gujjadi gram panchayat president Harish Mestha, several other leaders and party members were present.