Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Jul 8: Former MLC Ivan D'Souza heavily slammed the BJP for interruptions in developmental work while speaking in a protest organized along with Kaup Block Congress in front of Mudarangadi gram panchayat on Monday July 6. "BJP has interrupted many developmental works at Mundarangadi, which was sanctioned during coalition government between 2013 to 2018," he said.

These works are specially recommended by former MLC Ivan D'Souza himself, sanctioned under the chief minister’s Gram Vikas Yojana and other special packages. But all works were interrupted and stopped by the BJP. Mudaragandi gram panchayat PDO, an honest officer was also suspended for working on above said projects, Ivan D'Souza claimed. "The local leaders of BJP provoked and pressurized the CEO of zilla panchayat to suspend the PDO," he alleged.

Former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake who was also present for the protest said, "The ruling party is opposing all the development works by not sanctioning grants and they are not even allowing us to do it. One of the known MLAs of Udupi cheated the government of Rs 40 crore in the name of dredging in Swarna river."

He further claimed his allegations saying that before election, the Udupi MLA had promised that one month after taking charge he would put in sincere effort in procuring sand. But people are still struggling to get it. They have won the election keeping this issue and giving hope to the public. "I have all the evidence to prove that they have created the problem and the MLA himself is involved in illegal sand mining. BJP is supporting their party workers in their illegal business. As a result, an honest forest officer got suspended for slamming the BJP for its anti-development mindset. It is purely contrary to our democratic system," Sorake said.

Naveenchandra Suvarna, president, Kaup block Congress; Michael Ramesh D'Souza, member taluk panchayat; David D’Souza, former president, Mudarangadi gram panchayat; Deviprasad Shetty, former president, Belapu grama panchayat; V C Shekhabba Ucchila, member, taluk panchayat; Dinesh Kotian, member, Palimar taluk panchayat and others were present.