Claiming to discharge its duties as a responsible opposition party, the Dakshina Kannada unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has urged the government to immediately halt ongoing works on the Yettinanhole water diversion project and find scientific ways for quenching the thirst of parched districts.
Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha member Nalin Kumar Kateel would lead a padayatra of the party opposing the project in the present form from Mangaluru to Yettinahole on October 10. The padayatra, with the slogan “Save Netravathi, Save Dakshina Kannada,” would culminate at the project site on November 13, said BJP Dakshina Kannada president K. Pratap Simha Nayak.
Mr. Nayak told presspersons here on Saturday that the project in the present form, entailing expenditure of nearly Rs. 13,000 crore, is not acceptable to the people of Dakshina Kannada and the party. There are several unanswered issues and the government should clear all those doubts before going ahead with the project.
Mr. Nalin said that as a Lok Sabha member, he is yet to get an opportunity to raise the issue on the floor of the House; but he would do in the forthcoming session. However, as a responsible opposition party, the BJP has decided to create public awareness about the ill-effects of the project and to forewarn the government about the consequences of going ahead with the project amidst public opposition.
Asked about the repeated statements by Union Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, who had approved the project as Chief Minister, in support of the project, Mr. Nalin said he was confident of convincing everyone in the matter. The party leadership would be conveyed the concern of people in Dakshina Kannada and urged to stand with the people, he said.
The padayatra is not the end of the struggle, but is the beginning. The BJP would continue the agitation till its demands are met with, Mr. Nalin added.
MLC Ganesh Karnik and other leaders were present.
