MLA questions need for Sadhana Samavesha when law and order collapsed in Karnataka

Mangaluru: Mangalore City North MLA Dr Bharath Shetty has questioned the Congress-led Karnataka government for organising the Sadhana Samavesha at a time when, according to him, the law and order situation has collapsed and development remains stagnant.

"Is the government celebrating its achievements for increasing the prices of essential commodities, pushing citizens into hardship, or for the deaths of lactating mothers and farmers? Or is it for being mired in corruption?" he asked during a press meet in Mangaluru.

He asserted that celebrations have meaning only when people’s lives are improved. “In the past two years, over 1,600 farmers have died by suicide, and honest officials are being pushed to take their own lives by this ‘commission government’. From Neha in Hubballi to Suhas Shetty in Mangaluru, murders are on the rise. The crime rate has spiked drastically, and law and order in the state is in a deplorable condition. Is the Sadhana Samavesha being held to celebrate CM Siddaramaiah's statement on war that is now being highlighted by Pakistani TV?” the MLA questioned.

Dr Shetty also urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to outline his contributions to Mangaluru city and Dakshina Kannada during his previous term as Chief Minister. He accused District In-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao of failing to tour the district and understand the concerns of the people.

He further alleged that Congress leaders are interfering with the administrative machinery. “For the past two years, officials and police have not been given a free hand to function,” he said.

“All government work is being executed with vote-bank politics in mind. The state government has not released even a single rupee for the Brahmakalashotsavas being held in various temples across Dakshina Kannada. We are not against the government sanctioning funds for religious events, but Hindu temples should also receive support,” he added.

Dr Shetty pointed out that although the indoor stadium and the new Deputy Commissioner’s office complex were built using Smart City funds, there was no mention of this during their inaugurations.

“When B S Yediyurappa was the Chief Minister, Rs 100 crore was sanctioned annually for Mangaluru city development over four years. The current government is focused more on appeasement politics than development,” he alleged.

He also criticised the state government for failing to allocate adequate funds for Dakshina Kannada’s development, despite the district being one of the highest taxpayers in Karnataka.

“While the state government complains about injustice in tax devolution by the Centre, it has itself failed to do justice to Dakshina Kannada,” he said.

Call for UAPA provisions

When asked about the status of the investigation into the murder of Suhas Shetty and the proposed Bajpe Chalo protest on May 25, the MLA said the probe was proceeding too slowly.

He criticised the police for not booking the accused under relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). “One of the accused in the case was previously involved in the murder of Sukhananda Shetty and had links with the Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD). Given the gravity of the matter, the investigation should be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA),” he asserted.