Norms violated during CM's programme: MLA

Mangaluru: BJP MLA D Vedavyas Kamath criticised the Congress govt for violating protocols and committing several lapses by disregarding all norms and regulations during the visit of chief minister Siddaramaiah on Friday.

The MLA of Mangaluru City South constituency said that the projects inaugurated by the CM are part of the Smart City initiative, but the state Congress govt is attempting to claim credit for these projects without acknowledging the Prime Minister's vision.

"The projects inaugurated by the chief minister are part of the Smart City initiative, with former MP Nalin Kumar Kateel taking special interest in the district's development, and the current MP, Brijesh Chowta, continuing the responsibility. The state Congress govt is attempting to claim all credit for the projects funded by the Smart City initiative, without even acknowledging the contribution of the Prime Minister. Over Rs 20 crore were obtained from the Smart City initiative to complete the Praja Soudha, the new DC office complex," the MLA said.

On the state-of-the-art, modern indoor stadium facility at Urwa, Kamath said, "During the BJP govt's tenure, with the cooperation of key figures including people's representatives, ministers, and officials, we put in a lot of effort."

The MLA urged the Congress govt to avoid politicising development and welfare issues and to join hands with opposition parties for the benefit of the people.

During the inaugural ceremony of the Praja Soudha on Friday, a verbal disagreement occurred between MLA Kamath and CM Siddaramaiah regarding the allocation of Smart City funds. Kamath, during his speech, claimed that the inauguration of Praja Soudha was made possible through the funding from Smart City, which is a central govt scheme. Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah accused the previous BJP govt of stalling the work and not taking initiatives to release funds from the Smart City initiative for the project.