Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, May 22: MLA Raghupati Bhat on Monday, May 21 informed that BJP activists of the district unit will organise Vijayotsava in the city on May 26.
Addressing media at town BJP office, Kadiyali, he said, “On demand of BJP activists here, the district unit of BJP will organise Vijayotsava in the city. A rally will be carried out commencing from Parkala, Manipal-Kadiyali- Malpe-Thottam- Kadike-Thenkanidiyur-Ashirvad-Doddanagudde-Chakratheertha-MGM-Diana Talkies-Beedinagudde-old taluk office-Kinnimulky-Balaipade-Kodavoor-Kadekar-Ambalpady- Brahmagiri-Ajjarkadu- taluk office- Court Road-Diana circle and will conclude at Chittharanjan circle. Followed by the rally, a public meeting will be held at 7pm.”
Crediting people from the rural areas for his victory in the recently concluded elections, he said, “People from rural areas helped me to win in Udupi constituency. I won against Pramod Madhwaraj, who was ranked as ‘the No 1 MLA’ in the state, by a margin of 12,044 votes.”
Reverting to former Pramod Madhwaraj's allegation that he lost because of misrepresentation, Bhat said, “This shows Pramod himself agreed that Congress party workers failed to work hard during the campaigning.
He further said, “Many issues in Udupi are not solved. As Election Code of Conduct has been implemented due to the upcoming Legislative Council polling, all works will be delayed for the next one month. There is a problem of dredging in the city which is creating obstruction in the free flowing of rain water. The Election Code of Conduct has stopped the progress of all emergency works.”
Rejecting felicitation from public, he said, “I do not want to waste time receiving honour from fans or public. MLAs are not here for receiving felicitation but have to work with responsibility.”
Answering a query on the alleged attack by BJP activists on Congress workers, he said, “As per my knowledge, such incident has not happened anywhere. Pramod should not get into a situation like protesting in front of police station.”
Speaking on sand mining, he said, “There is a problem of sand mining in the district. Frequent shifting of sand bars takes place over here. The installed GPS machine is completely unscientific. There is need to simplify sand mining policy. We will put all effort to make things clear by August 1. The renewal process of patent for sand bars will be started in August.
“Non-CRZ problem is leading to the delay. If there was a BJP government in state, we could solve all issues. We will try solving the issue on sand in non-CRZ after the appointment of district in-charge minister. We, the five MLAs of Udupi constituency, will pressurise the government and will send suggestions to solve sand mining problem. We know the ground regality,” he said.
“BJP is ready to face Lok Sabha elections. Our party won five seats in Udupi constituency election for the first time in history. I did not win by such big numbers in the earlier election,” he concluded.
Raghavendra Kini, former town BJP president, Upendra Nayak, former zilla panchayat president, Dinakar Babu, zilla panchayat president, Prabhakar Poojary, town BJP president and Dawood Abubakkar, president of minority unit were present.