Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Oct 8: “The district BJP led by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel will hold a padayatra in protest against the controversial Yettinahole Integrated Drinking Water Project on October 10”, said BJP district president K Pratapsimha Nayak.

Addressing a press meet in the presence of MP Nalin Kateel at the BJP office here on Saturday October 3, Nayak said, “The padayatra will be held under the leadership of MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and 'Step towards Yettinahole' on October 10 morning from Brahma Baidarkala Garodi, Koti Chennaya Pilgrim centre, Kankanady”.

“Sakleshwar BJP office bearers and party workers have given their support and take part in this padayatra. The-four-day padayatra will stop at B C road, Uppinangady, Nellyadi and Gundya. We have asked the support of various organisations and public. We are expecting about 500 to 1000 people to take part in the padayatra”.

“BJP workers will join us in their respective areas. Dakshina Kannada BJP is just a platform and through this people's voice should reach government. So I request public to take part in the padayatra".

"Our demand is that the government should stop Yettinahole project immediately. Government should take people of coastal region into confidence and discuss the pros and cons of the project, give information on source of funds and electricity for the project, investigation should be done on the allegation of misappropriation in tender process and government should make it clear that 24 TMC will be available to that region".

When asked by media persons why BJP has taken stand so late, Prathap answered and said, "We are a national party and in this kind of water dispute within the state we have to take care of all the facts. We cannot oppose the project all of a sudden. We were against this project from the beginning and now this padayathra is being organized”.

Jagadeesh Adikari, EX MLC Monappa Bhandary and others were present.