Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)

Mangaluru, Sep 22: The district BJP led by MP Nalin Kumar on Tuesday September 21 staged a protest in front of Mescom office near RTO here, against the Congress government over shortage of electricity in the state and demanded energy minister D K Shivakumar's ouster. It also backed Congress leader Janardhan Poojary on the Yettinahole issue and said he was welcome to join BJP.

Addressing the protest, MP Nalin Kumar said, "The Congress government by initiating Kalasa Banduri Nala project and the Yettinahole project has hurt the sentiments of the people of Karnataka. The CM was proud of 'Anna Bhagya' scheme, but now we are experiencing 'Kattale Bhagya', and if the Yettinahole project goes ahead, it will be a 'Kanna Bhagya'. The Congress regime is a government of looters.

"There was power crisis even when BJP was in power in the state, but the then chief minister B S Yeddyurappa took the initiative to purchase power from Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and other states. But the Congress government has failed to do so. If the situation is like this now, what will be the extent of power cuts during the summer season?" he added.

"The state government has no vision for the future. We are approaching Dasara festival, students have exams and farmers are committing suicide, but the government has not found solution to the power problem. The government is playing politics by not granting uninterrupted electricity during the Ganesh festival. Farmers in north Karnataka are committing suicide due to crop loss or burden of loans. Very soon, there may come a day in south Karnataka also where farmers commit suicide due to frequent power cuts," the MP said.

"Energy minister D K Shivakumar should either perform or resign immediately. This is BJP's demand," Nalin Kumar added.

Addressing the protestors, former MLC Monappa Bhandary said, "There is an acute shortage of power in the state. The Congress government has failed to provide electricity despite promising 24x7 power to the state during elections. When BJP was ruling, Shobha Karandlaje, the then energy minister took all the necessary steps to provide sufficient power supply, even during shortage. The CM is not concerned about the problems of the state. He sleeps during important meetings also. D K Shivakumar is not fit to be energy minister, either he has to be sacked or himself resign."

Welcoming Congress leader Janardhan Poojary's statement that Yettinahole project was a 'major scam', he said, "We are happy that senior Congress leader Janardhan Poojary has woken up to the fact that Yettinahole project is a scam. He has learnt that Congress is not an honest party. He can join BJP and raise voice against the Congress party."

K Jayaram Shetty, district BJP spokesperson, Satish Kumpala, ZP vice-president, Sudhir Shetty, BJP corporator from Kannur and others were present.

When contacted, Janardhan Poojary declined to comment on BJP's invitation, but assured that he would give a statement publicly in a press meet soon.