Daijiworld Media Network - Sullia

Sullia, Dec 10: The 'Sapta Kshetra Pancha Teertha Ratha Yatra' demanding the withdrawal of the controversial Yettinahole project began at Kukke Subramayana here on Saturday December 10.

The Ratha Yatra was led by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel.

The water of the Kumaradhara river was collected and symbolically poured into a kalasha by swamijis.

During the three-day protest, the rally will traverse through seven religious centres in Dakshina Kannada district and water from five rivers (Kumaradhara, Netravati, Phalguni, Shambhavi and Nandini) along the way will be collected in the kalasha to mark the protest.

The protestors decried the alleged massive corruption involved in the project and demanded its immediate withdrawal.

Addressing a public meet after the rally reached Dharmasthala, Billawa community leader Harikrishna Bantwal said, "If the Yettinahole project is not dropped, we should get ready to work towards uprooting the Siddaramaiah government in the state. We have to oppose the project in unison.

"Despite several protests against the Yettinahole project, the government has failed to respond. Two ministers from Dakshina Kannada are even trying to hinder the protests. The Netravati river does not belong to any party, hence it is the people who should make the politicians feel the heat," he said.

Former MLC Monappa Bhandary said, "There is an allegation that three state ministers have received Rs 700 crore as bribe from the contractors. Out of the three, two are from Dakshina Kannada. The district in-charge minister (Ramanath Rai) has dared the BJP to move privilege motion in the Assembly. Why did he not raise his voice when Kota Srinivas Poojary and Capt Ganesh Karnik spoke out? This is nothing but a money-making project for the government."

Ratha Yatra committee vice-president Umanath Kotian said that MLA Vasant Bangera should resign from his post and thus give a 'shock' to the state government.

Speaking to reporters, Nalin Kateel said, "The Ratha Yatra has received tremendous support in Subramanaya, Mardal, Nelyady, Kokkada and Dharmasthala. I feel overwhelmed by the cooperation and participation of the people. We feel our struggle is moving in the right direction. We have been successful in creating public awareness on this issue, and we hope the state government will wake up now. If not, we are ready to launch a revolutionary protest after January 26."