Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Newtork – Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Feb 19: The district unit of BJP is all set to welcome BJP national president Amit Shah, who is scheduled to make his maiden visit to the district on February 20. "We are putting our best efforts to make this event a memorable one in the history of Udupi," said Mattaru Ratnakar Hegde, BJP district president.

Addressing a press meet at Kediyoor here on Sunday February 18, he said, "The party is expecting a crowd of 50,000 including fishermen at the fishermen’s convention. BJP leaders have decided to welcome Shah in a grand way from Mangaluru airport.

"A bike rally has been organised by BJP Yuva Morcha. Shah will address the students of Puttur Vivekananda College and later will proceed to Navashakti convention in Bantwal. He will then visit slain Deepak Rao's family after which he will address fishermen at the convention at Malpe at 4 pm," he said.

"The presence of union ministers is yet to be confirmed. The total duration of the programme is one-and-a-half-hours," he added.

"BJP leaders have met various fishermen organisations from Byndoor to Mangaluru for three days to understand the problems of small and large scale fishermen. They have made a lot of effort to bring them together on a large scale.

"Early morning on February 21, he will visit Sri Krishna Math. After that, he will conduct a debate with social media activists, organised at Ammanni Ramanna auditorium. On the same occasion, there will be an official launch of the BJP website.

"He will then proceed to meet the leaders of Shakti Kendra of Shivamogga and Mangaluru and have a discussion regarding strengthening of the organisations," said Hegde.

State secretary K Uday Kumar Shetty said, "This convention will support the 150-seat mission of BJP in the state. BJP is sure of flying its flag high in the coastal region."

Thingale Vikramarjuna Hegde, former district BJP president said, "Shah will reach Kumta through helicopter. Then he will visit slain Paresh Mestha’s house. He will participate in three Navashakti programmes organised at Bhatkal, Kumta and Karwar in Uttar Kannada district. After that, he will visit Gokarna temple and then take a flight to Hubballi."

Karkala MLA Sunil Kumar, MLC Kota Srinivas Poojary, Yashpal Suvarna, president, Fish Marketing Federation, former MLA Lalaji Mendon, Sheela K Shetty, vice president, zilla panchayat Udupi, Jaya Kumar, Sujindra Sasihithlu, Sadananda Balkur, former MP Jayaprakash Hegde, Prakash Shetty, BJP leaders Akshith Shetty Herga, Veena Shetty, Nalini Pradeep Rao, Prathap Shetty, Rashmitha Balakrishna and others were present.

BJP state president Yeddyurappa, Chikkamagaluru-Udupi MP Shobha Karandlaje, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, union minister Ananth Kumar Hegde and ministers of Uttara Kannada district are expected to join the convention.