Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Oct 26: The district BJP on Thursday October 26 staged a protest over alleged irregularities and lack of facilitities in the Mini Vidhana Soudha here, and demanded resignation of ministers from Dakshina Kannada over the issue.

Addressing the protestors at the Mini Vidhana Soudha, BJP north block president Vedavyas Kamath said, "It has been two years since the inauguration of Mini Vidhana Soudha but the irregularities are still continuing. The condition is pathetic. Today there was no power since morning till 2 pm, and the lift was not functioning due to which senior citizens had to struggle to reach the second floor. There is no generator to provide power supply.

"Various departments are running in this Mini Vidhana Soudha and people are forced to wait for long to claim their income or caste certificates. Today as there was no power they had to wait for long hours and return empty-handed," he said.

Demanding the resignation of ministers from Dakshina Kannada, he said, "Local ministers are responsible for these irregularities and pathetic condition of the building. They should resign immediately. People have not been provided proper service. The record room has no staff. As per the plan, the plot where the record room is situated was meant for parking. There is no proper parking facility and outsiders are seen parking inside the building while officials or workers are forced to park outside due to lack of space in the premises."

BJP leader Monappa Bhandary said, "There were lots of expectations when the Mini Vidhana Soudha was inaugurated, but these expectations remain unfulfilled. The construction work of the Mini Vidhana Soudha was completed in a hurry. There is no security to keep watch, none of the local ministers have visited the Mini Vidhana Soudha to review the condition of the building."

Referring to the breaking of Bantwal Mini Vidhana Soudha door during its inauguration a few days ago, he said, "Recently the Mini Vidhana Soudha at Bantwal was vandalised by their own representatives. This shows the behaviour of the Congressmen."

He further said, "Earlier there were two gates to enter the premises but due to the construction work, one gate has been closed, and the other is damaged. There is no alternative entrance. Local ministers should take initiative in sorting out the issue, and if not, we will continue our protest."

The district BJP later met assistant commissioner Renukacharya and discussed the condition of the building. Renukacharya assured that he would bring the matter to the attention of deputy commissioner Sasikanth Senthil and take necessary measures.

PM Modi's visit

Prior to the protest, MLC Monappa Bhandary addressed a press meet briefing about the much-anticipated visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Dharmasthala on October 29.

"On October 29 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be arriving at Mangaluru airport at 10:30 am. He will be reaching Ujire by helicopter at 11 am. From there he will proceed to Dharmastala temple to seek god's blessings. At 11:30 am, Prime Minister Modi will take part in the SKDRDP programme at Rathnavarma Heggade stadium at Ujire. Nearly 1 lac people from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi are expected to take part in the programme," he said.