Sangha members boycott LS bypoll

As the railway budget had failed to announce extension of Yashwanthpura-Mangalore night train to Karwar, Railway Yathri Sangha had given a call to boycott Chikmagalur-Udupi bypoll.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Sangha President R L Dias said the Sangha has 72 members, of which, majority of them did not exercise their franchise on Sunday.

He said the Sangha will meet Railway Minister to urge him to implement the High Court order to extend Yashwanthpura-Mangalore train to Karwar. If the Minister fails to implement the order, then the Sangha will hold Rail roko to press for the demand.

The High Court had on May 23, 2011 ordered the ministry to ensure that the Railway Board took a final decision on the extension of the night train to Karwar within the next three months. However, it was not fulfilled so far.