Daijiworld Media Network - Kaup (TP)

Kaup, Apr 19: The Udupi District Congress, along with various party units, to hold a massive protest rally in Kapu on April 24 against the repressive policies of the Central government ruled by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake addressing the media in a press conference held at the Kapu Press Club on April 19, said, “The protest rally will commence at 10.30 am from the Shri Lakshmi Janardhana Temple and proceed towards Kapu town, culminating in a large public meeting. The protest will raise concerns about the central government's price hikes, the Waqf Act, and the chargesheet filed against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and other senior party members in the National Herald case.”

Vinay Kumar Sorake criticised the BJP’s ‘Janakrosh Yatra’ led by state president B Y Vijayendra, questioning whether it truly reflected public outrage or was a celebration of Yatnal’s ouster from the party. He pointed out that on the very day the BJP launched its campaign, the central government hiked LPG prices by Rs 50 and petrol, diesel prices by Rs 2, further burdening the common man. Vinay Kumar Sorake emphasised that the Congress was committed to highlighting such realities and noted that the Supreme Court had issued a temporary stay on the Waqf Act as well.

Udupi District Congress president Ashok Kumar Kodavoor said the protest is also a response to the BJP’s opposition to the state government's pro-people ‘Five guarantee schemes.’ He added that around 5,000 people are expected to participate in the rally.

The press conference was attended by, INTUC president Kiran Hegde, District Congress secretary Mahabala Kundar, Kapu Mahila Congress president Shantalata Shetty, district minority unit president Sharfuddin Sheikh, Kapu Block Youth Congress president Niyaz Ahmad, and Campaign Committee president Jitendra Furtado.