Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)
Udupi, Dec 22: “The contribution of Atal Bihari Vajpayee to the BJP was immense. His birth anniversary will be celebrated with pomp and gaiety like the festival of a village deity,” said MLA K Raghupathi Bhat.
He was speaking at the preliminary meeting of Atal Utsava and unveiling of the trophy at the MGM ground in the district today.
“The Atal trophy was started in 1999 by the district Yuva Morcha through Volleyball tournament and a Kabaddi tournament is also being held this time. The national level open Kabaddi tournament will be held under the floodlights on December 24 by BJP Udupi city and village.
The Atal festival and Booth Sangama inauguration will be held at the MGM Ground on December 25. 12 teams from various states will take part in the tournament. Winner of the first prize will get Rs 1 lac, runners up will get a prize money of Rs 75,000 and winners of the third prize will get Rs 50,000 and fourth prize winners will get Rs 25,000.
The winners will be presented with the Atal trophy. The tournament will begin at 5 pm. A gallery for 6,000 people to sit and a stadium for 5,000 spectators to sit and watch has been built. About 25,000 people are expected to watch the tournament,” he said.
“Union minister Anurag Thakur will inaugurate the tournament. Dr K C Narayana Gowda, Karnataka minister of sports and youth empowerment will set the tournament into motion,” he said.
“The Atal festival and Booth Sangama will be inaugurated on December 25 at 4 pm by former chief minister and senior party leader B S Yediyurappa in the company of selected presidents of six vote booths. There will be a musical programme by well-known singer Vijay Prakash after the booth conference,” he said.
“Union minister Shobha Karandlaje, ministers S Angara, Kota Srinivas Poojary, V Sunil Kumar, presidents of 226 voting booths, members and activists will take part. BJP organising secretary Rajesh G V will speak on the occasion,” he said.
BJP Udupi city president Mahesh Thakur welcomed. Booth convener Raghavendra Kini compered the programme and rendered the vote of thanks.
Local BJP leaders, party office bearers and activists were present.