From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jan 10: The Congress party’s padayatra on Mekedatu project led by KPCC Chief DK Shivakumar is actually a yatra for gaining political mileage and is a 'March of repentance',’’ ridiculed Higher Education Minister Dr CN Ashwath Narayan on Monday.

Dr Ashwath Narayan, who is also the district in-charge minister of Ramanagara district from where the Congress party’s 10-day padayatra demanding early implementation of Mekedatu project, accused Shivakumar of being ‘’not concerned with the plight of the common man.’’

Speaking to media persons, he said police have registered FIR against 30 members for violating COVID norms during the padayatra on Sunday. Appropriate action will be initiated on them as per Infectious Diseases Control and Prevention Act and Disaster Management Act.

Mekedatu project got approved in the year 2013 when Siddaramaiah was heading the Congress government in the State, he said charging the Congress government for not take a step forward with regard to this till 2019.

“Why Shivakumar, who was the then the minister, remained silent,’’ Dr Narayan questioned.

“Shivakumar has not even once raised this issue on the floor of the house and the general public knows the true colour of the trio of Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar and MB Patil,’’ he said attacking the KPCC Chief for conducting the padayatra just to boost his own image within the party.

“This would not help in any way to resolve the issues related to the project. He has been deluged with the idea of becoming the Chief Minister of the State,’’ the minister said.

Shivakumar, who has been elected 7 times from the Kanakapura constituency, has not shown interest to implement at least one irrigation project in the Ramanagara district, he charged and said the Congress leader has now exposed himself by staging the Mekedatu padayatra drama.