Pics: Justin D'Silva

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB/MS)

Udupi, Nov 23: "Lalaji R Mendon, who represents the Gangamatha/Mogaveera community in the Karnataka legislative assembly, should be given the position of cabinet minister in the state government. All round development of the fishing community is possible through this," urged Pushparaj Kotian Pithrodi, president of Dakshina Kannada Mogaveera Hithasadhana Vedike Uchila.

Pushparaj was speaking at the press conference in the city on Monday, November 23. He further said, "We feel that suitable representation is not given for the 39 various fishermen communities of Karnataka, which belong to the Mogaveera/Gangamatha community, having a population of more than 80 lac and being neglected in the process.

"In all the states of the country, our representatives are given suitable positions in the government. In addition, all the earlier governments that have ruled Karnataka have given representation to the fishermen community. But BJP is the only party which has neglected the fishermen community by not offering proper representation.

"There is only one MLA belonging to Gangamatha/Mogaveera community in the ruling party in the Karnataka legislative assembly. We cannot accept this policy of BJP at any cost.

"There is no doubt that coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada are the solid forts of BJP. But the exploitation of the innocence of our community voters in the state by BJP has saddened us.

"I hereby urge chief minister B S Yediyurappa and BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel to give cabinet grade minister position to three time MLA of Kaup Lalji R Mendon, who is a spotless and experienced politician,” he said.

Dr Deviprasad Hejamadi, state president national fishermen association, Damodar Suvarna, Hadinarupatna Mogaveera Sabha Uchila, Manoj Kanchan, vice president Nalkupatna Mogaveera Sabha, Somanatha Suvarna, treasurer, Dakshina Kannada Mogaveera Hithasadhana Vedike Uchhila were present.