Mangalore/Udupi: BJP District Units Hold Protest
Pics by Sphoorthi Ullal and Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore/Udupi
Mangalore/Udupi, Jan 22: Opposing the decision taken by governor Bhardwaj, the members of district BJP unit staged a protest on Saturday January 22.
In Mangalore, the activists went on a procession from BJP office, PVS to Buntshostel, Jyothi, Hampankatta areas and returned back to the office premises.
Prominent BJP leaders like Nalin Kumar Katil, Monappa Bhandary and Shrikar Prabhu among others were present. Addressing the protestors Nalin Kumar said that Bhardwaj’s decision is politically motivated. He is influenced by the Congress leaders and being in this position he shouldn’t have taken such an important decision under the influence of others, he alleged.
Answering the queries of media persons regarding the disturbance caused by these kinds of protests, he said it is inevitable as we have to raise our voice against it when such a situation arrives.
The activists also forcibly closed down some of the shops in the Hampankatta and K S Rao Road areas and stopped the auto rickshaws here and there. As many as 100 members participated in the protest.
Speaking to the reporters Congress Spokesperson M G Hedge said that BJP does not know the difference between ruling party and opposition party. He also questioned why the CM and his associates are making an issue about Governor’s decision if they have not committed a mistake. Hegde informed that the KSRTC buses are being stopped due to the instruction given by minister Ashok. Because of the irresponsible behaviour of BJP government common people have become the scapegoats, he lamented.
Udupi: Bandh Total, Peaceful
In this temple town, the bandh has been peaceful so far. No untoward incidents have been reported from anywhere in the district. The people closed down their shops and other establishments voluntarily. None of the city, service, express, and government buses are plying. A handful of auto rickshaws have been moving about. Schools and colleges have declared holiday. The district BJP unit staged a protest at the service bus stand here.
District BJP president, Udayakumar Shetty, chairman of the Third Finance Commission Recommendations Implementation Committee, A G Kodgi, MLC, Kota Srinivas Poojary, BJP Mahila Morcha district president, Reshma Uday Shetty, Syamala Kunder, Gitanjali Suvarna and other peoples’ representatives participated in the protest.
The pilgrims to the town are the worst hit, as none of the hotels are operating today. People are seen moving about in groups, searching for shelter and food.
Bandh Cripples Normal Life in Bantwal
Pics: Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (PS)
Bantwal, Jan 22: Normal life in Bantwal came to a halt with the bandh call on Saturday January 22. Commuters were affected as bus service was not available since morning.
Many bandh supporters burnt tyres and shouted slogans against governor Bharadwaj while BJP activists forcefully closed a few shops. Effigy of governor Bhardwaj was burnt.
The bandh was otherwise peaceful. Some students attended school even though transport was disrupted. Only a few number of shops were open in BC Road area and rural areas, but later they were also closed due to lack of number of customers.
People in Moodbidri, Polali, Mudipu, Konaje, Vitla and Manchi faced severe problems due to the stoppage of bus service. However, the weekly market in Mani was not affected by the bandh.
BJP holds symbolic protest
Bantwal BJP unit held a symbolic protest in BC Road to condemn the decision of governor. District BJP president Padmanabh Kottari and other local BJP leaders were present. The police provided tight security and no major incidents were reported.