MLA Bava accuses Samiti of blocking Suratkal-Kana-MRPL road repair work

Mangaluru, Oct 27: Accusing the Kana Nagarika Horata Samiti of trying to mislead people of his constituency by holding unnecessary protests, Mangaluru North MLA B A Mohiuddin Bava said that he left no stone unturned to accomplish the Suratkal-Kana-MRPL road repair work at the earliest.

Responding to the allegations that he ignored the protesters and refused to pay heed to their agony, Mr Bava said that he could not stop his car at the protest site on Wednesday as he had to reach Mangaluru International Airport on time.

“After reaching Saudi Arabia I came to know through coastaldigest.com that the protesters had levelled several baseless allegations against me. Yes, I did not stop the car. Had they asked me to visit them and to accept memorandum, I would have definitely visited them before going to Airport,” he said, accusing the Samiti activists of resorting to personal attack against him.

Double standard

Mr Bava went on to claim that the leaders of Nagarika Horata Samiti, which is comprised of left-wing activists, in fact made all possible efforts to delay the road repair work in order to mobilize people to stage a protest.

“The Mangaluru City Corporation was about to start the repair work. However, the office bearers of the same Samiti did not allow them to commence the work and questioned how could they start work without formal approval of the tender,” he said adding that the real intention of the agitators is politicising the issue and building public opinion against local MLA. “They are trying to portray me as a joker,” he lamented.

He said that he had even taken the Deputy Commissioner to the spot and convinced him the seriousness of the issue. “When we exert pressure on the authorities to commence the work at the earliest, they exert pressure to delay the work. People should understand their double standard,” he said.

Mr Bava said that a couple of days ago, residents of Kana and surrounding areas under the banner of another organisation had staged a protest with the same cause, i.e. the speedy repair of Suratkal-MRPL-Kana road, and they had invited him too. “I visited them and they put forth their demand without any drama. They did not even insult me,” he said.

He also promised to complete the road repair work within 30 days even if the Samiti tried to create hurdles for the work.

Permanent solution

The Congress MLA said that he never sat idle thinking it was MRPL and other companies' responsibility to repair the road. “I am longing for a permanent solution to the problem of the 4.5 km stretch. I have personally met chief minister and held a meeting with state level authorities,” he said adding that modalities of Rs 50 crore project will be worked out soon.

Development works

Mr Bava also said that as an MLA he has concentrated more on developmental works and that his constituency witnessed more development in last three years compared to the term of his predecessors. “If anyone has any doubt on my claim they can clarify it through RTI,” he said.

Also read: MLA Mohiuddin Bava snubs road agitators, flies to Saudi Arabia