Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, May 8: J R Lobo, the Mangaluru South Candidate said, 'The BJP has pushed the citizens of Mangaluru to dire straits during their tenure.”

Addressing the media on Monday May 8, he said, “Sitting Mangaluru South MLA Vedavyas Kamath is claiming that he has bought Rs 5000 crore grant to Mangaluru South for Smart City project. Kamath is also a member of the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) and he did not give any power to other members of the MCC during his tenure. It is wrong that he was taking decisions on the revenue of the MCC. The taxes have been increased on each and everything including drinking water, trade licence, property tax and many more.

“During his tenure, no new project was bought to Mangaluru. Only a few roads and basic amenities were constructed which can be done even by corporators. Being an MLA, he should have worked to attract investors from the country and state so that there will be development here.

“The Smart City implementation was a complete failure. The Kadri Park road was made in Rs 14 crore without parking facility. The musical fountain which was inaugurated during my tenure is rusted now and inside the Kadri Park which is underdeveloped.

“Not many use the underpass at Hampankatta which has become a resting place for destitute, was constructed in Rs 11 crore. I had plans of making a foot over bridge with escalator like the one in Delhi.

“No alternative shops were made for central market traders. We had made alternative arrangements for Urwa, Bejai, and Kadri market during our time.

“The BJP are the reason for failure of administration and corruption. I challenge MLA Kamath to have an open discussion about the projects on any platform.

“There is no development in tourism sector here despite having scope.

“There is totally no development in Mangaluru under the BJP’s tenure. It is time for people to send them home. People are tired of 40% corruption and administrative failure. An atmosphere is created where voters are supporting the Congress.

“Many projects which were undertaken during my tenure were not implemented under the BJP’s tenure. The DC office’s work has been stopped and not completed under the double engine government.

“All projects were sanctioned by me during my tenure. MLA Kamath claims that he brought Rs 5000 crore grant to Mangaluru. Where has that money gone? The implementation was complete a failure. If I am elected the MLA, I will get the Smart City project related investments to be investigated to see if the objective of smart city is fulfilled,” he said.

District Congress president Harish Kumar, KPCC vice president Padmaraj, Congress leaders Ivan D’Souza, Shashidhar Hegde, Lancelot Pinto, Naveen D Souza and others were present.