Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (MS)

Kundapur, May 2: "Yadthare Manjayya Shetty, G S Achar, A G Kodgi, Appanna Hegde, I M Jayaram Shetty, Laxminarayana and I have donned the role of MLA in the constituency of Byndoor. However, BJP candidate has insulted all of us by saying that not even 10% development has been done in Byndoor since independence. BJP does not know what is meant by development. The agenda of BJP is Hindutva and not development," said K Gopal Poojary, MLA, Byndoor constituency in reaction to the recent allegations made by the BJP candidate for upcoming elections B M Sukumar Shetty.

He was speaking at a press meet that was held in the Congress office of Byndoor on Monday, May 1. Continuing his reaction to Sukumar's allegations, Gopal said, "During whose tenure bridges at Maraswami, Kannada Kudru, Movadi, Badakere and Bagwadi were built? During whose tenure Rs 102 crores for the development of Gangolli port, seawall at Koderi port, Shiroor port and Maravanthe and 300 crores for the second phase work of Varahi were released? Is this not development? During my term Rs 2000 crores have been spent on development works. Though Concretization and re-asphaltization of roads, government bus stand, government depot stand, the building of high schools and colleges including Morarji Desai residential school at Heranjal and Shankaranarayana, ITI college were built. But the BJP candidate is saying that not even 10% development has taken place. I condemn his allegations."

"BJP candidate has accused that no development has been done in Byndoor. Laxminarayana was the MLA of his party. During his tenure, Yeddyurappa was the chief minister. His son was the Member of Parliament. Why no development was done during that time? Now a project of desalination of seawater at Shiroor is being undertaken for work at the cost of Rs 21 crore. Compare the development that has taken place in Shiroor, the village which is adopted for development by Oscar Fernandes and Keradi, the village adopted for development by Yeddyurappa. You will come to know which village is developed the most. Development of Kollur took place during the tenure of Congress chief minister S M Krishna. Let BJP tell people why Lokayukta inquiry was conducted if everything was okay?" he questioned.

"Engineering and medical colleges are not allotted constituency wise. That is allotted at the district level. Already a medical college has been sanctioned for Brahmavar. We have already submitted the demand for an airport at Ottinene, Byndoor to the chief minister. Also, demand for junior colleges at Aloor, Gujjadi and Siddapur is submitted. Sanctioning of degree college at Vandse is in the final stages. We have made taluk for one Hobli. Byndoor taluk will be fully functional from July 2018. As chairman of KSRTC, I have made the KSRTC amass a profit of 33 crores from dire straits," he added.

"Hindutva of BJP is only for votes. Why are no temples built under the leadership of BJP, though Congress has built many? Congress government has provided aid to all the temples through Muzrai department. Hindutva displayed by Congress is honest. The Member of Parliament who is representing this constituency and his father have been the MPs for nine years. However, they have not visited Byndoor even 10 times in these many years. The concerned MP could not fulfil the demand of over-bridge at Byndoor. Now a underpass is being built under the original plan itself. If the MP was willing, over-bridge could have been built.  I will win with the same margin of votes like the last election. I will get probably more votes but not less for sure," he assured.

S Prakash Chandra Shetty, president of promotion committee, Raju Poojary, vice-president district Congress, Madan Kumar, president block Congress, Gowri Devadiga, president women's Congress, B Raghurama Shetty, H Manjiah Shetty and Vijaya Shetty Kalthodu, leaders of Congress were present.

On this occasion, Raju Poojary, former member of taluk panchayat, Hallihole and Bhaskara Devadiga, former member of taluk panchayat, Yedthare joined the Congress party.