Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Jul 6: Shivakumar is on a visit to the district and on Tuesday, July 6 held meetings for more than two hours with the fishermen leaders at Malpe harbour here. Speaking on the occasion, he said, “Even if fishermen meet CM and convey their issues, solutions are not provided to them. I will discuss the issues faced by the fishermen in the legislative assembly. I will be the voice of fishermen. I do not believe that this BJP government is going to resolve their issues. Congress is going to come to power in the next assembly elections. With regards to fishing, one law should be there pan India. We have to discuss this matter with all the states. We will resolve the issues regarding pension, diesel subsidy, Ashraya housing scheme and CRZ issues.” 

He was speaking at a press meet held at the district Congress Bhavan in Brahmagiri on Tuesday, July 6.

Adding to this, he said that there is no security for the lives of fishermen and demanded that the rate of diesel be at Rs 50 and kerosene at Rs 20. "Why is it difficult for the government to provide subsidy on crude oil?" the KPCC chief questioned.

"In a month's time make ambulance service ready for the fishermen community. The BJP government has no concern for the fishermen. There are 3 lac fishermen in the state, of which 18,000 have received Rs 3,000 as compensation amid pandemic. I have listened to their problems and in case of necessity, I will call fishermen leaders to Bengaluru for further discussions," he added.

On questions regarding the race for the post of CM, the KPCC chief said, "I have never asked anyone to make appoint me as the chief minister. There is no need to hold discussions on this matter."

He went on to accuse the union government of discrimination in regards to vaccine supply. "The centre is prioritising Gujarat over Karnataka when it comes the supply of vaccines. The facts and figures of the number of people who have received vaccination are bogus. The state government has failed in fulfilling promises, which they announced before they came into power," the Congress leader said.

"Our party is also focussing on the problems of handloom workers and we hope to undertake certain plans in their favour," he said.

Reacting to the question on cabinet expansion, Shivakumar said, “I wish Karnataka gets more opportunity. There are 25 people representatives here but none have raised their voice against discrimination by the central government."

Responding to the query on the appointment of the new governor for Karnataka, KPCC president Shivakumar said, “I welcome the new governor and also congratulate him. The outgoing governor has done what he could. Politically we might have many differences. But he has called us whenever we wanted to meet him. He has held discussions with the Congress party, the rest he did as per the instructions from his political bosses.”

With regard to the tussle between Mandya MP Sumalatha Ambareesh and former CM Kumaraswamy, Shivakumar said that he does not want to comment on both of them.

On the matter of the Mekedatu reservoir, Shivakumar said, “Our attention should be on the Mekedatu project. It is not right on the part of CM Yediyurappa to have written a letter to Tamil Nadu CM Stalin. The tender should be called first and a dam needs to be built. If there is an issue in building a dam, there is a team for it. It should be resolved through the team.”

Reacting to the car accident involving DCM Laxman Savadi's son, Shivakumar said, “I do not have any information in this regard. Earlier, a similar situation had taken place when C T Ravi's car also met with an accident. I will get full details and then respond.”

Shivakumar refused to make any comment on taking MLAs, who had deserted Congress, back into the party.

Krishna S Suvarna, district president of Malpe Fishermen Association delivered the keynote address.

Pramod Madhwaraj, former MLA Udupi, R Druv Narayan, executive president, KPCC, Vinay Kumar Sorake, former MLA Kaup, Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, district president, Congress Committee Udupi, V V Mohan, Vinayraj, Niveditha Alva, Mohammed Nalapad, Veronica Cornelio, KPCC panellist and other Congress leaders were present.