Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Sep 11: The state BJP on Friday September 11 held a massive 'Raitha Chaitanya Yatre' rally against the Congress-led state government over farmer suicides, power shortage and other issues, and with an intention to boost the confidence of farmers in the state.
Three mega processions consisting of thousands of people merged at the ground opposite Shamili hall, where a convention was held.
Addressing the gathering, state BJP president Prahlad Joshi said, "The state is getting 9,021 mega watts of electricity and there is a shortage of 3,500 mega watts. The problem of shortage of coal blocks has been communicated to the centre and the centre has already arranged the supply from Maharashtra. But the state is irresponsible and suffers from leadership problem. We strongly condemn energy minister D K Shivakumar’s statement that he will not provide electricity for festival celebrations.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made tremendous progress in a short period of one year and some months. Sushma Swaraj has not committed any mistake as alleged. Congress boycotts the parliament sessions with petty and unreasonable demands. For them their party’s interest is more important than the nation's interest. They criticize the foreign trips of Narendra Modi without talking about Rahul Gandhi’s foreign trip. Where did he go? Why did he go? Narendra Modi’s travel plans are made public. Let the Congress clarify on Rahul Gandhi’s trip," he demanded.
Senior BJP leader K S Eshwarappa said, "Let D K Shivakumar give a proper statement on power supply during festivals. He should clarify his stance by tomorrow (Saturday September 12) evening. Centre provides 200 mega watts of electricity to the state. Around 450 farmers have committed suicides so far. Minister Mahadev Prasad’s ‘lazy’ remark about farmers should have been condemned by the Congress. He should have been suspended from the assembly for his remarks.
"Congress is a spent force after the BBMP elections. Let the government buy electricity from anywhere, anyhow and solve the problems in the state," he said.
"The actual and fair price of a sand load is Rs 900 but it is sold at Rs 8,000 per load. As many as 400 loads are transported illegally per day. The present government at the centre is better than the previous Congress government. Modi has challenged Pakistan government and has controlled the situation at the border in a very good manner," he added.
MP Shobha Karandlaje said, "The Congress government is moving on the wrong path. Democracy is being murdered in the state. No minister travels around the state to take stock of the situation. So many farmers died in the state but only a few families have received compensation till now.
"The projects which took off during former CM Yeddyurappa’s tenure have been abandoned without implementation. Where the projects like ‘Bhagyalakshmi’, ‘Suvarna Bhoomi’, ‘Namma Raste Namma Grama’ gone? Centre buys rice at Rs 32 per kilogram and supplies to the state at a discounted price. Previously one family used to get 30 kg of rice. But now they get only 4 kg per person. The requirement in the state is 1000 metric tons. Then why there is shortage of rice? Where is the rice going?" she questioned.
"There is no adequate electricity in the state. There is only 'Kattale (darkness) Bhagya' here. UPCL plants in Bellary and Raichur are not functioning properly because there has not been proper servicing. From September to December we can produce 2,200 mega watts of electricity from wind power. We cannot do the same after January as the wind speed decreases. It is a known fact that D K Shivakumar and chief minister Siddaramaiah are not communicating well between themselves. Farmers are not taken into confidence in the state," Karandlaje added.
MLA of Karkala Sunil Kumar spoke on the issue of cattle trafficking and said, "Till trafficking of cattle is not stopped, vigilance by fringe groups will continue."
MLC Kota Srinivas Poojary, district BJP chief Thingale Vikramarjuna Hegde, former MLA Raghupathi Bhat , farmer leader Jnanendra and former MP Tejaswini Gowda were present in the rally among others. The crowd gathered exceeded 10,000 as per some estimates.