Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB/SP)
Udupi, Mar 26: Union defence minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, participated in a meeting with fishermen on Tuesday March 26 at Country Inn Hotel, Manipal. At the press meet held later, she did not deliberate much on what transpired at the meeting.
Addressing a press meet, the minister sought to justify the party's action in choosing Shobha Karandlaje as the party's candidate from Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Lok Sabha constituency, in an apparent attempt to browbeat those who opposed her candidature. She said that Shobha had undertaken a number of development works out of central government funds like national highway development, setting up of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Gems and Jewellery Training Centre etc. She said that the Gems and Jewellery Centre was set up here in order to train rural artisans to get additional skills and improve their standard of living. Those who complete courses at this institute get certificates of National Institute of Design, she mentioned.
"The union government has put together elaborate plan for the development of this city. Out of Niti Ayog funds, NITK Suratkal and Nitte college are being treated as Atall Bihari Innovation Tinkering Hubs, she stated. She also pointed out that there has been lot of development on the part of railways here, and Ramakrishna Hegde School has been sanctioned for this city because of Shobha's efforts.
On the Suvarna Tribhuja missing fishing boat, the minister said that Shobha had promptly taken up the issue with her and that every effort was made with the help of navy ships to search for the boat. She said she personally contacted Maharashtra chief minister, Devendra Fadavis, and sought his help in this regard. She said more efforts with the combination of various agencies would be put in the direction of searching for the boat. She said that during her visit to the air show at Bengaluru, fishermen representatives had met her and spoken about the boat. But because of the aerial strikes which followed, she could not meet the bereaved families of fishermen then.
"As of now, we do not have much knowledge on what would have happened. Election model code of conduct is in force now. We are taking suggestions but cannot openly discuss the issue. I have made an offer to the families to come to defence ministry and discuss the issue with the officials concerned," she explained.
Referring to allegations made by certain leaders about the role of navy in this issue, she challenged the concerned to come out with proof about what they are claiming. "This is a sensitive matter. Making baseless allegations can vitiate the atmosphere. It is my responsibility to take all necessary steps. Do not politicise such issues," she requested.
Nirmala recalled that Congress relied on 'Garibi Hatao' slogan coined by the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, in 1971 and continues to use the same slogan even now. She wondered why the Congress people could not drive away poverty all these years. When someone pointed out that people are selling T-shits wit BJP logo, she wanted to know what is the problem with it.
Noting that opposition leaders have been calling Narendra Modi a Chowkidar without any proof, she wondered who else has the capacity to become an effective Prime Minister. She called upon leaders of the Mahaghatbandan to introspect on this issue and determine for themselves whether any one of them can match Prime Minister Modi. When she was questioned about Rafale, she said the matter is sub-judice as it is in court.
Accompanied by other leaders, Nirmala visited the families of missing fishermen, Chandrashekhar and Damodar at Malpe. Damodar's parents shed tears, with his father wondering whether he would be able to have the last glimpse of his son before he breathes his last. He said he knows that the government is doing its best to search his son. Shobha said that they are doing their best and efforts will continue in the direction of finding the missing boat and its fishermen. Chandrashekhar's wife too could not hold back her tears and pleaded with the minister with folded hands to find out what happened to her husband.
Vijay Sanklap meet was organized thereafter at Kunjibettu near the BJP office.
'Rahul Gandhi day dreaming to become PM'
Addressing the gathering, she said, “Modi is a good administrator and has achieved the goal of making India a corruption free country.
“In 2014 Lok Sabha election, our agenda was making India corruption free and based on that we sought votes. Today everything is obtained at a lesser price. Why did the UPA government wait so long?” she questioned.
The UPA government just threw coins to the poor families, instead of eradicating poverty. The opposition party says that we will make Modi step down from the seat? But who else is there capable enough to take that seat?
“Rahul Gandhi is day dreaming of becoming PM. Let his dream remain only a dream. We can’t compare Rahul Gandhi to Modi. Does he have any charm, leadership quality and experience? He stands nowhere when compared to Modi,” Nirmala Sitharaman criticised.
"After the Pulwama attack, the entire country was angry and waiting to take the revenge against Pakistani terrorists. We waited for 10-12 days after that. We got information from the intelligence that the terrorists are planning to destroy India by using a suicide bomber. Soon after that the information the alert defense ministry started its operation. During the Mumbai attack, the UPA government maintained silence. They did not take one step further. But the Modi government has taken a firm decision. We attacked terrorist camps to teach them a lesson,” she said.
Modi has shown zero tolerance towards terrorism. The Union Government has given complete freedom to Army and defense to take decisions.
“Instead of appreciating the army, Congress government underestimated the soldiers. They were calling Army head as ‘Sadak ka Goonda’. One of the educated leaders of Karnataka alleged that the army chief is a liar. I am disappointed with this attitude. Mani Shankar Aiyar is asking help with Pakistan people. Some Congress leaders are praising the Pakistan Prime Minister. People of India do not want a government from such leaders,” she said.
"Is there anybody to match Modi? Let us know," Nirmala Sitharaman challenged Congress leaders. "Everywhere BJP candidates are contesting to make Modi the prime minister of India," she concluded.
Shobha Karandlaje said, “Modi has put forward four points on making India a corruption free country such as development, providing infrastructures and making Swachh Bharat. Now he has implemented the pro-people projects like Fasal Bima Yojana for farmers, launched generic medicine centres and so on.
“After the Pulwama attack, the world is looking at our country. To Udupi, the Central government has sanctioned passport centre, sakhi centre, gems and jewellery training centre, GTTC in Uppoor, CRF funds for the activities. There are other construction projects in Malpe, Kodi Kanyana. There are many demands and we will fulfill them soon and I will work as a real people’s representative,” she added.
Rajasthan MLA Kiran Maheshwari spoke on the occasion.
Mattaru Rathnakar Hegde, BJP district president, MLAs Sunil Kumar, Sukumar Shetty, Halady Srinivas Shetty, Raghupati Bhat, opposition leader Kota Srinivas Poojary, Kumaraswamy, Jeevaraj, Yashpal Suvarna, Belle Prakash, Dinakar Babu and others were present.
Thereafter, Nirmala accompanied Shobha Karandlaje to the office of the deputy commissioner for filing her nomination as BJP candidate for Udupi-Chikkamagaluru constituency.