Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa on Sunday refused to state clearly whether the Government would go ahead with land acquisition for the second phase of the Mangalore Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) project or drop the move.
Asked about the opposition of the people, including Pejawar seer Vishwesha Tirtha, for the proposal to acquire 2,035 acres of land, the Chief Minister said, “I will let you know about it on Monday.”
The Chief Minister spoke briefly with presspersons at the Bajpe airport here on his way to Udupi.
Earlier, the seer had urged Mr. Yeddyurappa to drop the land-acquisition move, when he met the latter during the inaugural function of the Vishwa Tulu Sammelan at Ujire in December last. The seer wanted an assurance from the Chief Minister to this effect.
Seer’s contention
He had told the Chief Minister that if the Government were to acquire land, it would not only affect the people adversely but also harm the Tulu culture and tradition. The seer had said that he was only representing the people in this regard.
No reaction
The Chief Minister on Sunday, however, did not react to the recent statement of the Pejawar Math seer that he would be launching an indefinite fast at the Permude temple, if the Government did not drop the move to acquire land for the second phase of MSEZ.
When his attention was drawn to the alleged statement of H.D. Kumaraswamy, leader of the Janata Dal (Secular), that the State Government was accepting largesse from a private company for the forthcoming election to Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike Council, Mr. Yeddyurappa said that both Mr. Kumaraswamy and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda should not make baseless charges.
“They should substantiate their statements with proper proof. It is not right on their part to make unnecessary allegations,” he said.
Condoled
The Chief Minister condoled the death of former Chief Minister of West Bengal Jyoti Basu.
He said Mr. Basu had given importance to development works during his term as the Chief Minister of West Bengal.
The country had lost an able leader, he added.
