'Name airport after Rani Abbakka'

 BJP national president Amit Shah garlanded the statue of Rani Abbakka at Ullal Circle on Sunday.

Abbakka Utsav Samithi president Dinkar Ullal submitted a representation to Shah urging the Union government to name Mangalore International Airport after Rani Abbakka. Also, at least one train starting from Mangaluru Railway Station should be named after Abbakka, the forum has requested the government in the memorandum.

The Samithi said one circle each in New Delhi, Bengaluru and Mangaluru should be named after Abbakka. The life story of Abbakka should be included in primary and high school curriculum. A theme park on Abbakka should be set up on 10 acres of land at Ullal, the Samithi has demanded.

Earlier, Shah flagged off the Tiranga Yatre bike rally at Pumpwell Circle. He rode pillion with MP Nalin Kumar Kateel. About 400 bikes participated in the rally. The Yuva Morcha members from Mangaluru North and South constituencies participated in the  rally. Union Minister D V Sadananda Gowda and BJP State President B S Yeddyurappa also took part in the rally.

Shah also visited BJP district office in the city and planted a sapling on its premises. The party workers kept aside the BJP symbol and flag and held only national tri-colour flag throughout the programme.

The security was beefed up for Shah’s programme in the city and on Mangalagangothri campus. Senior police officers monitored the security arrangements. Along with CRPF Commandoes, a large number of police were deployed at the venue. IGP (Western range) Arun Chakravarthy, DCPs K M Shantharaju, Dr Sanjeev Paril and others had camped at the venue till the end of the programme.