Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru Nov 18: Like-minded organizations and secular parties expressed solidarity with the Surathkal Toll Gate Horata Samithi and took out a foot march from Tadambail cross to Surathkal toll gate on Friday, November 18, demanding closure of Surathkal toll gate.

Meanwhile, the indefinite strike by the Surathkal Toll gate Horata Samithi demanding to scrap the toll gate has stepped into its 22nd day.

Addressing the protestors, convenor of Surathkal Toll Gate Horata Samithi Muneer Katipalla said, "The protest has stepped into its 22nd day and has intensified. The credit must go to the people of Tulunadu who have relentlessly supported the protest. Many have taken part in the protest without going home for quite a long time. It’s a warning sign for the BJP wherein the like-minded organizations and secular parties have shown their solidarity for the protest."

"MLA Bharath Shetty had commented that protestors were taking a political angle by mentioning the agitation as Tulunadu V/S BJP. One side there is BJP and Toll gate, on the other side it is the people of Tulunadu," said Muneer Katipalla.

"The BJP is checking the patience of the public. The deputy commissioner had said that toll collection will be stopped once the notification is issued, Even Nalin Kumar Kateel had tweeted about this. It has been four days since the tweet, yet the toll collection has not stopped. BJP is a cheat and creates conflict among people. The opposition and several parties have shown their responsibility and taken part in the protest, while ruling BJP has completely forgotten its responsibility," alleged Muneer.

Muneer also said,"If the toll price increases at Hejmady, the protest will be shifted to Hejamady from Surathkal. If they start taking excessive money at Hejamady then people of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi will throw BJP to the dustbin and there will be a severe impact on the party in the coming election. Chief minister Bommai is scheduled to visit Mangaluru on November 19. He should speak on the toll gate issue. If he speaks we will appreciate him, If not then BJP will definitely collapse in the district."

On November 14, BJP state president and MP Nalin Kumar Kateel tweeted that Surathkal toll gate has stopped collecting toll. He had confirmed it through a tweet. Nalin also had thanked prime minister Narendra Modi and union minister Nitin Gadkari for having responded to the requests. The union minister had assured earlier that the toll gate will be closed. However the technical aspect is implemented now,he had stated in the tweet.

Former MLA Ramanath Rai, Mohiudeen Bava, Abhayachandra Jain, former MLC Ivan D'Souza, Congress leader Inayath Ali, Harish Kumar, Vishwas Das, Krupa Alva, Prathibha Kulai, Shalet Pinto, JDS leader Sumathi Hegde, Ashraf, corporator Lateef, CPIM leader Yadav Shetty, K Shekar, Dalit leader Raghu Yekkar, farmers leader Ravikumar Punacha, Toll Gate Horata Samithi member Imthiyaz and others were present.