'Will make Moodbidri a model place, win hearts of people' – MLA Umanath Kotian


Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru Feb 3: Mulky-Moodbidri MLA Umanath Kotian beat four-term MLA and former minister K Abhayachandra Jain in 2018 to help the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) open its account in Moodbidri.

Moodbidri had elected either Congress or Janata Dal or Janata or Swatantra Party candidates during the last 12 elections since 1962. Kotian, who had lost to Abhayachandra Jain in 2013 by a margin of 4,550 votes, trounced the former Minister with a comfortable margin of 29,799 votes in 2018.

Known to be 'no nonsense' people's representative, Umanath Kotian reveals interesting details about his political journey as an MLA in an exclusive interview on Daijiworld 24x7's Public Challenge with Daijiworld editor-in-chief Walter Nandalike.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: In the next 3-4 months, you will complete two years of your tenure as an MLA. This is for the first time you became an MLA. After becoming MLA, you have been in news for your works. In the year 2013, you lost the elections with a less margin. Since then, what changes have you done and what was the reason behind your victory? Is it Abhayachandra Jain's failure? Your personality or Modi's popularity?

A: I lost the 2013 elections with a meagre margin. Unexpectedly, I got the ticket even though I was not an aspirant. It was the people's desire to give me the ticket to contest elections. Despite losing elections, I was with the people and have interacted with them. My political guru Palemar had asked me to contest from the North area, but I preferred to contest from Moodbidri. People have elected me and blessed me in the year 2018. I never thought in my dreams that I will become an MLA as I hail from a poor background.

Unexpectedly, I entered into politics. I worked to strengthen BJP in Mulky Moodbidri constituency where BJP had only 15 to 20% votes. I worked from booth level to strengthen the party. People desired that I contest from Moodbidri constituency and hence I got the ticket to contest.

Q: There were several instances where you have taken officials to task. The videos have become viral on social media which was widely appreciated by the people. Do you have any comments?

A: I am very sincere towards my work. An MLA will be satisfied when people are in peace. Many people approach me for small problems. If Revenue and Police department works properly, then people will not approach me. Officials harass people for simple documents like income certificate. If one call from me can get the work done immediately, then why they cannot do their duty well before my call?

Q: Recently you have walked out from the KDB meeting. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Kota Srinivas Poojary and you were able to walk out courageously from the meeting due to the behaviour of an official.

A: There is wet well at Pacchanady due to which all the water of Maravoor dam got contaminated. I had even asked MCC commissioner to look into the issue. Even the local people of Moodshedde had health issues due to the contaminated water and I had repeatedly requested the MCC official to send drinking water to the people. But the official spoke rudely to me. I had asked to arrange water for the people. So during the KDB meeting, I raised this issue seeking justice. In presence of the official, I walked out.

Q: What will be your vision for the next three years?

A: Moodbidri has become a taluk now. My utmost priority is road development. Moodbidri is a holy place as it called as Jaina Kaashi and Vidhya Kaashi. I have listed out few basic facilities required for the development of Moodbidri for Rs 150 crore. UGD needs to be constructed. We will make Moodbidri a model place and win hearts of the people. Constructing road, providing water and electricity will be utmost priority. Even mini Vidhana Soudha will soon come up. The road has to be widened in some areas. There is place called Kadala Kere which has to be upgraded and made into a tourist spot like Pilikula for which I have urged minister for Rs 5 crore for the same.

Q: BJP has won in all the constituencies in the district expect Ullal. Is it difficult to get support for the development works without ministerial posts to the leaders of our district?

A: BJP government is ruling in the state. Yediyurappa is the chief minister who gives what we ask. Kateel has transformed in the last one and half months in terms of road development work taken up at a cost of Rs 25 crore. Yes we need ministerial post but Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district are inspiration for the country in strengthening the BJP family. We could have fought like people of Bengaluru for the ministerial posts. Angara is six-time MLA and he should have been given the post. Time will definitely come for it.

Q: There was widespread anti and pro CAA protests across the country and state. Recently Defence minister Rajnath Singh addressed a rally, while at Adyar there was anti CAA protest.

A: Citizen Amendment Act is a very good act. We need not tell about the act to the educated ones and it will not affect the citizens of India. CAA will be given to minorities like Hindus, Buddhists, Parsis in Pakistan, Bangladesh who came to our countries as refugees due to atrocities faced in the Islamic countries. I can’t understand why the Muslims and communists are protesting. There are several people from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who entered illegally to our country without any documents. This will affect them. Congress has diverted the minds of the people. The Muslims in our country will not face trouble due to this act.

If there is any doubt regard to act, we will clear it out and there is no need of protesting and creating violence. Prime Minister Modi, Defence minister Rajnath Singh and other leaders are addressing people to clear the doubts of the people. Political party Congress has divided the people on the basis of religion for vote bank. Congress and Communists are facing suffocation and are blown away with Modi wave. BJP had earlier said it in its manifesto about introducing the act, abrogation of Article 370. BJP stands by its ideology of delivering what is promised. Congress never delivered what they promised but just fooled people.

Watch full interview here:



 

 

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • Anthony H Crasta, Granville/Sydney

    Thu, Feb 27 2020

    I am pleased to hear that MLA Umanath Kotian is making every effort to develop and modernize my home town Moodbidri. I wish you the best Sir. Priority should be given to widen the roads in the city main, and also to hasten completion of the new market premises. The roads from Moodbidri to Karkal and Moodbidri to Mangalore also need to be widened. Also, Government buses needs to be introduced to ply in these areas.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • abdulla, india

    Wed, Feb 19 2020

    Keep Rural settings intact with Lush greenery:
    Build clean Roads .wholesome .complete...
    Provide : Water: electricity: storm/sewage..draingae .Drains.
    Plan the city.let it is zoned:
    Residential: commercial: mix: industrial as per Zones.
    nothing out of the way.all clean..standard ..specified..authorised.approved.
    City External colors ..paints should be uniform. maybe White uniform.
    All road transport system be clean..punctual...
    Garbage bins provided and Recyclables to be lifted on a daily basis.
    no littering.
    Keep your City Clean.
    Build enough quality schools an colleges...vocational training..technical colleges,for hand son training.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rajesh Kumar, Mangalore.

    Fri, Feb 07 2020

    Really?

    DisAgree [1] Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Deepak, Mangalore - Moodbidri

    Tue, Feb 04 2020

    Sir, Highly Appreciated your effort.

    We are daily travelers so, We need government buses from Mangalore to Moodbidri.

    DisAgree Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • prem, moodbidri

    Tue, Feb 04 2020

    I am not a BJP supporter, but I appreciate Mr. Umanath Kotians effort and eagerness to develop Moodbidri.
    Our request him to complete Fish/Vegetable market building as soon as possible, which is causing lot of inconvenience to the traffic. Also to widen the narrow roads inside the town.
    There is no room for footpath & people are walking on the road, which is very risky business. We suggest, there should be Footbridges/overpassing for pedestrian crossing in the town.
    Every shop beside road should adhere to the norms of municipality by leaving road/footpath margin, so that people can walk easily without disturbing vehicle movements.

    DisAgree Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dinesh, Mangalore

    Tue, Feb 04 2020

    Abhayachandre Jain gave good transport service to Bangalore by Sugama...

    DisAgree [6] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rehan Sheikh Puthige, Kadalakere,, Moodbidri

    Tue, Feb 04 2020

    We know our Moodbidri is not that developed town. This was just because of past ruling party leaders. After the election, we saw there is more improvement in Moodbidri by Mr. Umanath Kotian. It's not his dream but a dream of all people of Moodbidri to develop our town into best city of India. What people demand will not be done or changed immediately, it will take time and Mr. Umanath Kotian is ready to do it. We support you sir and best wishes with you. #JaiHind #TrueLeaderUmanathKotian

    DisAgree Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Af,,, MANGALORE

    Tue, Feb 04 2020

    Recently i have been to moodabidre, that to town limits there is a huge problems,
    first there is no sign bords on roads where to go on cross , roads are too narow, there is no space to park a vehicle, moodbidre to mangalore road is too small ,past 10 years ppls representative telling road will be widen but till today not, alvas are conducting workd famous nudi programs and ppl from various country visiting here, but zero development.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prakash, Mangalore

    Tue, Feb 04 2020

    Very able leader !!
    Still early days for him, hope he will keep fighting for his constituency..

    DisAgree [1] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ronald D, Udupi

    Tue, Feb 04 2020

    Honest politician. Not communal at all! Better than most others.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse

  • Bechha belman, Bedra

    Tue, Feb 04 2020

    Totally agree with you sir.

    DisAgree Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lan,,,,,,,,,a,, Belman / Washington, DC.

    Tue, Feb 04 2020

    Less communal than Sorake and Rai ???...

    Yesss...only non-communal party CONgress can give all 3 Mangalore City seats to minorities...Bava-Lobo-Khader party....

    ....Tak...Takk...

    DisAgree [3] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • shakthi, mangalore

    Tue, Feb 04 2020

    Dear Mr.U.Kotian,

    what is the status for the new vegetable and fish market ????

    DisAgree Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • Anwar, Mangaluru

    Tue, Feb 04 2020

    Bomba Bomba

    DisAgree [19] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Tue, Feb 04 2020

    First we want peace in our Districts ...

    DisAgree [16] Agree [33] Reply Report Abuse

  • Kumar, Mlore

    Tue, Feb 04 2020

    Before making a model place, kindly repair or widen the roads....road from moodbidri to mlore is pathetic tat road needs repair as well as widening....

    DisAgree [7] Agree [29] Reply Report Abuse

  • Al Dsouza, Canada

    Tue, Feb 04 2020

    Kumar, totally agree. I am on vacation from Toronto and sad to see the condition of roads. Hope this MLA keeps his promise and makes a model smart city from mangalore to moodbidri

    DisAgree [2] Agree [28] Reply Report Abuse

  • Save My India, India

    Tue, Feb 04 2020

    Hope it won't drag on like the Pumpwell Great Wall of Managalore!!!!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • KRPrabhu, Bangalore

    Tue, Feb 04 2020

    For few people peace is lifetime problem...its their fate.

    DisAgree [13] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Al Dsouza, Canada

    Tue, Feb 04 2020

    Prabhu peace is important. Without peace houses to countries can brake in pieces. Doesn't matter strong roads or buildings wont stand with out peace

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse


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