Mangaluru: Credibility of 125 crore Indians is at stake Mr Prime Minister – Poojary

Mangaluru: Senior Congress leader Janardhan Poojary held a press meet at District Congress Office here, on December 5.

Addressing the mediapersons, Poojary said that regarding the Yettinahole project, the state government held talks along with the opposition to continue the project. On December 7, the green tribunal will hold an investigation of the Yettinahole project. The state government led by CM Siddaramaiah has discussed with the opposition to continue the Yettinahole project. The state government has also sent a memorandum seeking permission to utilize 13,000 hectares of the forest land for the project. Opposition leader Eshwarappa supported the project and advised that the project be continued. The government will also acquire 255 hectares of land. Continuing the project by joining hands with the opposition will create problems in the future, surmised Poojary.

Giving example of the floods in Chennai, Poojary said, “If we go against nature, it will punish us. The Chennai flood is one such example. In Chennai, all the ponds, lakes and rivers have been filled and huge buildings built. The airport has also been built near the river side. There is no provision for the rain water to flow freely and we humans are responsible for this.”

“In 1958, when I went to study law, there were heavy rains in Mumbai and half Mumbai was flooded because the huge rivers were filled to create Mahim and Bandra cities, causing a great tragedy.”

“In Karnataka, 20 rivers have already been filled, where markets, bus stands, universities, playgrounds and commercial complexes have been built over them. These developments have caused hurdles for the rain water to flow freely. Days are not far when we may face far worse situations than Chennai is facing now. These floods should be taken as a lesson not only for Chennai but for everyone. Builders, politicians and officers, due to greed, misuse power and go against nature. We should plan well before taking up any project. We should make proper arrangements for the flow of rain water. Yettinahole should not be diverted; if the Yettinahole river will be diverted and the Western Ghats are destroyed as a consequence, we will face severe problems. Power is not permanent,” warned Poojary.

He further said that though the state government announced to give Rs 5 crore to Chennai, Jayalalitha refused to take it. “Many leaders from the state came forward to help them financially but she refused to take any financial help from the state. However, Jayalalitha has taken Rs 1960 crore from the central government, after seeking Rs 5000 crore from it. Why did she not refuse that help? It is the money of all the people of the country including Karnataka. We are all Indians and the people of Tamil Nadu are our brothers and sisters. The chief minister is not paying Rs 5 crore from his personal account, it the tax payers’ money. If she refused the Karnataka state government’s offer, why did she take Rs 1960 crore from the Central government?” he questioned.

Poojary also said that Siddaramaiah should have a big heart, he had announced only Rs 5 crore flood relief to Chennai. “Why did he not announce atleast Rs 25 crore? If he had announced Rs 25 crore, he would have become great. The scene of distributing food and other commodities by the soldiers to the people of Chennai is heart wrenching. We need to praise the central government for giving Rs 1960 crore flood relief to Chennai. Modi should provide more assistance. Siddaramaiah should also provide sufficient flood relief to the people of Chennai. Even if Jayalalitha refuses, we need to help them and show humanity during the time of need.”

Lambasting Modi on his foreign tour, Poojary said that Modi is visiting every foreign country and asking for loan. “Actually the foreigners should offer us loan; instead Modi himself is begging for loan. India is the only country which repays loans with interest. “The credibility of 125 crore Indians is at stake Mr Prime Minister. The Rupee has lost its value against the dollar; India has lost its credibility in the foreign market. The stock market is down, builders are are facing problems, there is a crisis in the country. If you think I am lying about this, file a case against me,” he said

Talking about the incident of a woman entering the Shingnapur temple, Poojary said that a woman was not allowed to enter inside the Shingnapur temple. “In every temple, people go to pray. God did not tell the Brahmins to stop the women from entering the temple. In Gokarnanatheshwar temple, women are allowed to enter and offer prayers. Women give birth, they should not be discriminated from entering the temple,” he said.

Former mayor Mahabala Marla, Naveen D’Souza, Arun Coelho and others were also present.

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