Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (TP)

Karkala, Jan 5: Karkala MLA Sunil Kumar visited the site of the Copper theft at Parashurama Theme Park and inspected the damaged areas. Speaking to the media, he termed the incident ‘unfortunate and shameful’ in the history of Karkala and alleged that the Congress party was directly and indirectly responsible for the present condition of the park.

Sunil Kumar stated that keeping the park closed and abandoned had led to such incidents and warned that the place could turn into a centre for illegal and immoral activities if the situation continued.

Sunil Kumar pointed out that Rs 4.25 crore sanctioned by the BJP government for the project is yet to be released, and demanded immediate release of the pending funds.

MLA Sunil Kumar also urged the authorities to open the theme park to the public without delay and allow cultural and public programmes to be conducted on the premises. He demanded an apology from those who had allegedly indulged in what he called unnecessary negative propaganda against the project.

Drawing a comparison, Sunil Kumar said, “Just as there was a ‘skeleton gang’ controversy in Dharmasthala, here there is a ‘fibre gang’,” and cautioned that public patience should not be tested further.

Sunil Kumar asserted that all construction works were carried out as per official records, and claimed that Congress leaders were acting against the development of Karkala. He also noted that the development committee which had triggered the Parashurama controversy had since been dissolved, and urged the district administration to implement the decision taken in 2023 regarding the project.

Announcing future plans, Sunil Kumar said that around 11,000 BJP workers would arrive in January to undertake a large-scale cleanliness drive at the park. “If the district administration fails to clean the premises, we will do it ourselves,” he said, adding that cultural programmes would be organized for a month starting from Makar Sankranti.

MLA Sunil Kumar further stated that public access should be allowed to areas around the studio auditorium, excluding the statue zone. Referring to the charge sheet, he clarified that it was clearly stated that the statue was not made of fibre, and declared that all controversies related to the project should now come to an end.

Calling Parashurama Theme Park his dream project, Sunil Kumar said it was envisioned as a major tourism attraction but had been deliberately stalled for political reasons. “After two-and-a-half years, I have visited this place again. Seeing its condition causes immense pain. A project that should have been vibrant with programmes has been ruined due to jealousy,” he alleged.

He further accused the Congress of withholding funds for political reasons and claimed that the party had the 'credit' for turning the theme park into a deserted site. He also alleged that local Congress leaders were not interested in development and recalled that even the deputy chief minister had earlier indicated that the issue would be kept alive until the next elections.