Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Nov 27: Udupi district Block Congress president Ramesh Kanchan slammed MLA Raghupati Bhat's comment on the collection of tolls at Hejamady toll gate as a joke.

He said Raghupati Bhat's comment that he would write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Member of Parliament against the collection of toll at Hejamady which had doubled following the closure of the Surathkal toll gate.

"If Raghupati Bhat was truly concerned about people paying double the toll charges at Hejamady following the closure of Surathkal toll gate he should have staged a protest by bringing together all the MLAs, MLCs and MP of the district. The collection of toll at Hejamady can be likened to daylight robbery against the common man. Raghupathy Bhat's comment lacks seriousness," he said.

Kanchan said people have been hit hard following the pandemic, rising unemployment and rise in prices of essential commodities. He said by doubling the toll charges at Hejamady toll gate after the closure of Surathkal toll gate at this juncture has pinched people's pockets considerably.

He said the BJP governments at the Centre and in the state are following anti-people's policies due to such initiatives.

Kanchan said instead of writing a letter or tweeting or releasing press statements that are meant to gain public sympathy the MLA should have jumped to the field and protested against such a move.