Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JD)
Mangaluru, Dec 7: The district BJP will extend its full support to the 'Pancha Teertha Sapta Kshetra, Ratha Yatra' to be held on December 10,11 and 12 in the district against the Yettinahole project, said Sanjeeva Matandoor, district president of BJP.
Addressing media persons at the district BJP office here on Wednesday December 7, "The Yettinahole project will make this district a barren land. Despite many protests and dialogues with people's representatives, the state government is hell bent on implementing the project. But the sad part is even the people do not understand the seriousness of the issue.
"No flag of any political party will be allowed in the protest rally even though BJP workers will participate in the Ratha Yatra commencing from Subrahmanya and ending in Kateel. Many organisations have extended their support, and most probably, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel will lead the Yatra.
"The Kannur Masjid and the Milagres Church committee will also participate in the rally. They will welcome us and garland the Kalasha filled with water of five rivers of the district," Matandoor said.
When asked about the support for the project from the state BJP leaders, he said, "We want to safeguard the lifeline of the district and we are not against providing water to Kolar and other places for drinking purpose. Instead of Netravati they can lift the water from Lakya dam, Goroor dam, Hemavati river etc which are closer to the areas of the plateau and not at the expense of the Netravati. Now the government is planning to construct a dam where the Kumaradhara and Netravati rivers meet. We oppose this project as well."
'Ban on drilling borewells must be lifted'
The district BJP president urged the state government to lift the ban on drilling borewells in the district. "All the taluk panchayats and gram panchayats in the district have decided to urge the government to lift the ban as they are mainly dependent on borewells for drinking water. In rural areas people need to drill new borewells for agriculture and drinking water as the open wells have low water levels. The government must look into this issue," he urged.
District BJP office-bearers Jitendra Kottary, Umanath Kotian, Capt Ganesh Chowta, Sanjeev Prabhu and others were present.