Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Nov 9: District Congress staged protest against the union government for privatising Mangaluru International Airport here at Kenjar on Monday November 9.
Addressing the protesters, former minister Ramanath Rai said, "When Congress was in power, several development works were undertaken. U S Mallya was the one who took the initiative for development works in Mangaluru with the support of Jawaharlal Nehru. U S Mallya is the reason behind Mangaluru airport. Now the union government has privatised many other airports including Mangaluru International Airport. Congress had started development works and several companies which are now being sold by the BJP government.
"BJP came to power by giving several promises which they failed to fulfill. BJP can be termed as Bharatiya Joot Party," he said.
Former MLC Ivan D’Souza said, "What was the need to privatise Mangaluru airport and give it to Adani. After Modi came to power, lot of favour has been done on Ambani and Adani. They have become richer today.
"BJP has no moral right to continue in the parliament after the airport has been privatised. None of the local BJP leaders spoke about it which is clear that they support Adani," he said.
District Youth Congress president Mithun Rai said, "Congress have contributed for the upliftment of this district with several development works such as port, railways, and airport to the district, but the BJP government is privatising whatever Congress has contributed.
“BJP has no concern towards the district and are behaving as slaves of investors. We urge the airport to be named after any prominent leaders of Dakshina Kannada. We appreciate that a bus stand near Kenjar was named after George Fernandes and we do not have any problem even if the airport is named after George Fernandes. We also urge the airport terminal manager of Adani to give job opportunities to locals instead of Gujarati citizens,” he said.
Former MLA J R Lobo, Abhayachandra Jain, Mohiudeen Bava and others were present.