Daijiworld Media Network - Brahmavar (SP)

Brahmavar, Feb 25: "At a time when the people are facing hardships on account of coronavirus infection, Hindu activists have been visiting nooks and corners seeking alms to build a temple dedicated to Lord Ram. Do the activists have no money to build the temple on their own?" questioned Sringeri MLA T D Rajegowda. He was addressing the 'Janadhwani' Padayatra organized by Udupi district Congress here on Wednesday February 24.

The Padayatra, which was on its third day, began on Wednesday morning from Balaipade. On the Padayatra reaching Brahmavar, a public meeting was organised.

Rajegowda said that Rajiv Gandhi had built temples in the past. He said that no one will object if Ram Mandir is built in all the villages out of the funds collected. "There is no opposition from anyone. Even the Muslims are not opposed to it. They too have contributed to the growth of the country," he said.

He said that the central government is trying its best to browbeat the Agricultural Produce Market Committee system and farmers have been protesting against it for the last three months. "200 have lost their lives. At this point, why does the government want to forcibly impose such things? This government is bringing tears in the eyes of the farmers," he criticized.

Former minister Pramod Madhwaraj, said that when the Congress was in power, he had got a number of people-friendly initiatives for the people here but lamented the fact that he still had to face defeat. "We all lost the election even after working hard. We granted BPL cards to 21,000 families here. We would have won even if each of these families had cast three votes in my favour. Rule 94 c, 94cc, free power connection, Ashraya scheme loan waiver, road concreting, community hospital, Rs 300 crore River Varahi drinking water project, KSRTC bus stand etc were implemented during my period but at the end I faced defeat at the hands of the people. People gifted me defeat for serving them round the clock. Poeple still are waiting for 'Achche Din'. I was defeated as the BJP engaged in malicious propaganda relating to sand supply. Even after the BJP candidate won, there has not been any change that was promised," he rued.

He said that the people are not yet prepared to admit their mistakes. "We have organized this Padayatra for you and we do not gain anything out of it. The government has to urgently help people reeling under coronavirus problems," he said to the gathering.

Former MLA Vinay Kumar Sorake, spoke on the occasion. In the afternoon, public meeting was held at Kallianpur where Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee spokesman Niket Raj Maurya, spoke.

Udupi district Congress Committee president, Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, KPCC coordinator, Vinay Raj, Kallige Taranath Shetty, M A Gafoor, Dinesh Putran, Kushala Shetty, Bhaskar Rao Kediyoor, Nagesh Kumar Udyavar and several others were present.