Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Oct 25: “The State BJP headed by the former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, will show its strength by mobilising party workers from all sections of society for the party’s OBCs convention to be held in Bengaluru on November 27,” informed BJP OBC Morcha president B J Puttaswamy.

Addressing media persons here at BJP office on Tuesday October 25, Puttaswamy said, “The convention will be held at palace grounds in Bengaluru. In order to organize backward classes, at every booth, taluk and district-level, committees have been formed and office bearer’s posts are filled.”

“The state government has ignored several welfare measures initiated by former Chief Minister Yeddyurappa, including Bhagyalakshmi scheme. Our state president has set a target of winning 150 seats in the 2018 Assembly elections. The Siddaramaiah government has completely ignored the backward classes.” he continued.

“There are more than 6.80 lac OBC workers in the party. There are 34 percent of OBC voters in the state who are capable of changing the electoral prospects. Yeddyurappa gave the economic stability to the backward classes by giving grants to the Math's of OBCs. Micro finance scheme was introduced by Yeddyurappa so that the youngsters of backward community can be self employed.” he said.

“Schemes like Ganga kalyana, Nursing, morargy desai schools, community centres for OBCs are not given a single rupee in the budget. Now the state government is taking up the steel bridge project despite opposition which is elevated by Rs 500 crores. Siddaramaiah is adamant on implementing this project so that he can raise Rs 500 crore for election fund. Law and order situation in the state is also in bad shape. Thus the Siddaramaiah government needs to be thought a lesson.” he concluded.

BJP district president Sanjeeva Matandor, BJP leaders Sathyajeeth Surathkal, Jagadeesh Adikari, Umanath Kotian and others were present.

Earlier B J Puttaswamy was in Udupi.

Udupi: Find immediate solution for sand shortage

Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB) 

The BJP backward class morcha activists staged a protest in front of DC’s office at Rajathadri Manipal on Tuesday, October 25 against failure of Congress-led state government and demanded immediate solution for sand shortage in district.

B J Puttaswamy addressing the protesters said, “The district is surrounded by ghats and rivers. We can get sand only when water flows from up to downwards. After the filtration of soil and water, sand is formed at the ground. Udupi district is facing severe sand shortage due to mismanagement.” 

“The sand shortage has been created due to failure of administration, partiality and corruption. The government gives first priority to particular departments which releases fund. The state has no regard for poor families. They do not respect public opinion. Sand has been exported to other districts, even though there is shortage within the district. Poor are struggling to construct a home due to unavailability of sand. State government is directly responsible for this. Sand is one of the natural resources.” he added.

“Export of sand has turned out to be a profitable business and an easy way for making money. Before handling any issue, the government should hear the grievances of public,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, MLC Kota Srinivas Poojary said, “Even after three years of Congress rule in the state, there is no substantial development. The problems faced by the backward classes are unending. If they have concerns for deprived, they would have taken adequate actions by now.”

Speaking about the sand issue, he said, “The government is showing partiality between poor and builders. An innocent self-employee gets punishment, but not a rich businessman. Are mining and police department personnel involved in the sand mafia? Government should give reply to all these unanswered questions.”

The protesters demanded to continue old poor welfare schemes, introduced by BJP during its term.

District party president Mattar Rathnakar Hegde, Raghupathi Bhat, Naveen Kumar Kuthyar, Shivakumar, Nalini Pradeep, Geethanjali, Shyamala Kundar and others were present.