Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Byndoor (SP)

Byndoor, May 7: "Congress MLA has represented this constituency since the last 18 years, there is no development. During the period Laxminarayana was the MLA, development activities had gained momentum but since Gopal Poojary became MLA, he failed to carry forward the momentum in his period. The central government sanctioned four bridges and several grants to Byndoor constituency. When I was the MP, several vented dams had been built. But Congress government in the state is now claiming projects of the central government as its own," said former MP B Y Raghavendra.

Speaking at a press conference at Hemmady on Sunday May 6, Raghavendra said that he has been taking part in campaigning from Shiroor onward and he has been witnessing uprising by the people against Congress on a huge scale. He expressed the confidence that the people of the constituency will bless BJP to rise to power.

Non-maintenance of vented dams, failure to implement multi-village drinking water projects etc have resulted in shortage of drinking water. Although Byndoor has been declared as separate taluk, the task of providing basic amenities has not been undertaken. This constituency does not have well-equipped hospitals and enough efforts have not been made to bring engineering colleges to this constituency. Although the union government has provided enough grants for the development of fishermen, proper works are not being conducted. When BJP was running the government, grant of Rs 300crore had been released for the development of Gangolli and Koderi ports. A sum of Rs 30 crore was announced for Uppunda port and tendering was pending. The current government has not taken these projects forward, he said.

Raghavendra said that none of the tourist spots between Karwar and Udupi have been developed. "Once our government rises to power, we will develop tourism by using resources of this constituency. It is possible to attract tourists by providing ropeway to Kodachadri hill. Installation of cashew development mission here will benefit cashew growers, workers and industrialists. We will see that ESI hospital for the benefit of workers is set up here. We will be positively considering doubling of the current quota of 200 litres of kerosene to fishermen. 'We will shorten the period for disbursing certificate and compensation in case of fishermen going missing due to accidents. We have included these things in the manifesto. As soon as our government is formed, we will develop this constituency,” he promised.

Raghavendra said that the projects started by Laxminarayana, which were neglected during Gopal Poojary's period, will get accelerated once Sukumar Shetty is elected as MLA. He said that Sukumar Shetty has undertaken three rounds of campaigning in the constituency and that there is favourable environment for him in this constituency.

Byndoor BJP candidate M Sukumar Shetty, BJP Mandal president, Sadananda Uppinakudru, and Navinchandra Uppunda were present.