Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Sep 9: "I am vehemently against the execution Netravati River Diversion Project, which has the potential of ringing death-knell for Dakshina Kannada district. For me, welfare of the district is paramount, not politics. If necessary, I am even prepared to resign to my membership of the state assembly," said MLA, Vasant Bangera.

He expressed this stand and view after receiving a memorandum submitted by Anti Netravati River Diversion Action Committee activists, who met him during the gram sabha of Kaniyoor gram panchayat on Tuesday September 8. Thereafter, he raised this topic at the gram sabha, and said that he had always spoken openly against the project in the public and also inside the state assembly. Asking the people to rest assured of his stance against the project, he said he will not dither even if he is kicked out of the party. "I do not care being sidelined and subdued into a political minion, as I hold the interests of the district to be supreme," he explained.

Noting that huge heaps of giant pipes have already been lying at the project site, he warned the people of the district that remaining silent would jeopardize their interests. He called them to be prepared for a huge protest. At the same time, he expressed doubt about his participation in the September 15 agitation because of ill health.

The delegation of the committee which met the MLA comprised Kailar Rajgopal Bhat, Prashant D'Costa, U T Irshad, and Aziz Ninnikal, among others.