Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD/EP)

Udupi, Jan 26: The Fishermen Association has urged that BJP leader Pramod Madhwaraj should be the Lok Sabha candidate for Udupi–Chikkamagaluru in the upcoming elections.

The association's secretary, Kishore D Suvarna, spoke to the media on Friday, stating that Pramod Madhwaraj has a strong political background. He mentioned, "He was the president of Mogaveera Mahajana Samaja for 12 years and served as the president of Karnataka Coastal Fishermen's Working Committee for another 12 years. For the last six years, he has played a major role in the growth and social and economic progress of the society as the secretary of the National Fishermen's Forum.

"Fishermen spread across 28 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state are facing several issues. Therefore, it is necessary to have a representative at the national level to solve the problems of fishermen and for the all-round development of fishermen.

"The current MP, Shobha Karandlaje, is a state-level leader. She can contest from any part of the state. We ask for only one constituency in the state. Therefore, Shobha Karandlaje should sacrifice the constituency considering our demands.

"Suitable compensation should be paid for the land acquired for the deserted work of the 3.5-kilometer national highway in Udupi–Malpe at Adi Udupi. The district should have an airport. Udupi–Chikkamagaluru should be converted into an attractive tourist destination, the Malpe-Indrali goods railway project should be realized, the problems of 14 consumer fishermen diesel marketing societies should be solved, and a coordination committee should be formed for a law to solve the issues of interstate fishermen. Pramod Madhwaraj, who has knowledge of the region, alone can do it," he said.

Sadhu Salian, Jagannatha Kadekar Malpe, Jagannatha Ameen, Krishna Suvarna Malpe, Subhash S Mendon, Nagaraj Suvarna, Mohan Kunder, Raviraj Suvarna, and social activist Yogish Salian were present.