Sullia: Congress Padayatra Demanding Better Roads Flagged off
 
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Sullia (PS)
 
Sullia, Nov 21: "Though hundreds of kilometers of road have been laid out in other parts of the state, in Dakshina Kannada, work on only 80 km stretch has been going on for last six years, that too at a slow pace. Apathy of people's representatives here is the main cause for this," said Congress leader and MLA Krishna Bairegowda.

He was speaking at the inaugural of the 4-day padayatra organized by DK district Congress and Sullia block congress at Kallugundi of Sampaje village here on Monday November 21 to demand immediate repair of Sampaje-Mani road.

He further said, "Due to slow pace of work, agriculturists and people in general are facing immense problems. To find a solution Congress is holding this peaceful walkathon."
 
"Cheating people in the name of religion is not new. It has always been the tactic employed by Sangha Parivar," he said, adding, "Sangha Parivar is a political agent of BJP and not worried about issues concerning public welfare."

AICC secretary Vinaykumar Sorake said that the padayatra was being undertaken to highlight the issues in Dakshina Kannada district and bring them to the attention of CM Sadananda Gowda. "Though the CM has the wish to do something for his native district, nothing is being done due to internal clashes in his party, he said, adding, "Sadananda Gowda is a remote control CM. Former chief minister Yeddyurappa has directed him not to resign as MP," he said.
 
Senior Congress leader Mundodi Bellyappa Gowda inaugurated the padayatra by lighting the lamp. DK district Congress president and Bantwal MLA B Ramanath Rai flagged off the padayatra. Leaders M M Nanaiah, Ivan D’Souza, Vijaykumar Shetty, PV Mohan, Bondala Jagannath Shetty, M S Mohammed, M Venkappa Gowda, T M Shahid, Nithyananda Mundodi, Bharath Mundodi, H M Ashraf, Mithun Rai, Praveen Chandra Alva among others were present.
 

Highway traffic disrupted
 
When padayatra began from Sampaje, traffic was disrupted for more than one hour. Over 500 activists and leaders took part. Though police asked them to confine themselves to one side of the road to allow vehicles to move, no one heeded to the instructions and insisted on taking out the procession on middle of the road. There was heated exchange of words between the party workers and police.