Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Nov 20: Continuing the demand of renaming Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) after Adani Group took over the management of the airport, district Congress demanded the airport to be named after legendary Tuluva twin heroes Koti Chennaya.

Addressing the media here on Friday November 20, district Congress president Harish Kumar said, "Congress has always kept the demand of renaming MIA after Koti Chennaya. Four years ago, a decision was taken on this at Malavoor gram panchayat, moved to zilla panchayat, which was brought to the notice of the state government. When I questioned about the above proposal during the March session, the answer I got was that there were no such proposals.

"On May 26, 2020, a circular was sent to the deputy commissioner on renaming four airports including Mangaluru which says the proposal was examined. The operating and maintenance of Belagavi, Mangaluru and Hubballi airports then came under the limits of Airport Authority of India, while Bidar airport under the limits of GMR Hyderabad. Hence, the renaming of the airport does not relate to the government.

"When a local authority places a proposal, it has to be moved to the state government cabinet where it can be rejected or sent to the central government. This is a procedure that has to be followed,” he said.

Earlier, district BJP president had stated that MP Nalin Kumar Kateel had sent a proposal of renaming the airport in 2012, for which Harish said, "If Nalin had sent such a proposal, where is the document? What has happened in eight years? We do not want another Pumpwell flyover to happen. GST and demonetisation was implemented overnight, then what is the problem to rename Mangaluru airport after Koti Chennaya?” Harish Kumar questioned.

Countering BJP's claim of Congress indulging in caste politics, Harish Kumar said, "Congress need not play caste politics. BJP is exemplary in caste politics. BJP has formed development corporations of all castes, and nearly 20 such corporations are formed but has no office bearers. Such moves are taken only for political mileage. Congress has always been treating everyone equally.

“Congress took up Brahmashree Narayana Guru study chair at Mangalore University (MU), observing Narayana Guru Jayanti, taking up development of Padumale Koti Chennaya and Deyi Baidethi medicinal garden and provided funds for these works.

"When Modi arrived to Mangaluru during elections, he had said that Gujarat and Mangaluru have good bonding as they buy arecanut from the district. We were happy that our district farmers will be empowered with this move. Instead, Modi had his eye on the airport which was sold to Adani Group. Even the replica of 'Pilinalike' was sidelined, which was relocated to its original place after the efforts of Mithun Rai.

"The airport is given to Adani just for maintenance and not for gaining authority. The tender should have been for 30 years, but in this case, it is for 50 years which is a clear violation," Harish Kumar said.

When asked about Nalin putting efforts on renaming the airport as stated by district BJP president, district Youth Congress president Mithun Rai said, "We have seen the efforts of Nalin Kumar Kateel in Pumpwell flyover construction which took 10 years. He lacks will power in renaming the airport. Nalin had also said that he did not notice the Adani board. The MP travels taking flight from the airport and yet does not see the board which is either not possible or sheer ignorance."

Corporator Shashidhar Hegde, Anil Kumar, district Congress spokesperson A C Vinayaraj, MCC opposition leader Abdul Rauf and others were present.