Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)

Mangaluru, Apr 23: "Chief minister Siddaramaiah should grant Rs 15 crore for Ullal Dargah and when he visits Mangaluru on Friday April 24, he should promise to make Mangaluru a tourist spot," said senior Congress leader Janardhan Poojary.

Addressing a press meet here on Thursday April 23, Poojary said, "We have so many places in the coastal districts like Ullal Dargah, Subramanya Temple, Shree Krishna Temple in Udupi, Shree Gokarnanatheshwara Temple and so on which are already attracting a large number of tourists from everywhere. So when CM arrives in Mangaluru on Friday, he should promise to make the coastal region a tourist spot. This will create lots of jobs and economy of the coastal region will get a boost. Tourism minister R V Deshpande has to prepare a master plan and take initiative in this regard."

Speaking about Rahul Gandhi's comeback speech, he said, "The statement of Rahul Gandhi is one of a true statesman. Rahul Gandhi was criticized in the past by the media about his absence but the same media is now projecting him as the leader of Congress."

Coming down strongly on the BJP government’s land acquisition bill, Poojary said, "In 2013 when Congress introduced the bill, BJP had no objection. All agreed to it, but now why a sudden U-turn within 10 months after coming to power? Congress introduced the bill to protect the farmers' interest and save the dying farmers of India. But BJP after coming to power has become a corporate slave and is dancing to the tunes of the corporates."

He further said, "How can the union government snatch the rights of the farmer? Is it only industries that are the assets of the nation? Are farmers a liability? If farmers stop cultivating their land, there will not be anything for the people to eat. Don't test the patience of the farmers. If the land acquisition bill is passed, I will organize and lead from the front and conduct a massive rally in the district."

Former mayor Mahabala Marla and other Congress leaders were present.