'State govt failed to protect fishermen's interests'

The Congress- JD(S) coalition government has done nothing to protect the interests of fishermen, said actor and BJP’s star campaigner Tara Anuradha declared on Thursday.

“No minister from the state has responded to the problems of fishermen and fisherwomen,” she alleged.

She was addressing a gathering while campaigning for BJP candidate Nalin Kumar Kateel at the fish market near the State Bank circle on Thursday. The Modi-led government had carved out a separate ministry for fisheries. Earlier it was a department under the Ministry of Food and Civil Supplies, she noted.

Taking a dig at JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda, she said the ‘Maitri’ does not stand for the coalition. “It is actually My Three - referring to Grandfather, Sons and grandsons of the Deve Gowda family,” she quipped.

Recalling the case of the Udupi fishermen who went missing at sea, she assured that Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman would do the needful.

Modi wave

“During my campaign across the state, I have seen a Modi wave and there is no confusion among people about whom to vote for. It is clearly the BJP,” she claimed.

Tara said that as a ‘Karyakarte’ (party worker) she was proud to highlight the achievements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “The government led by Modi is non-corrupt. The achievements of the PM, ministers and MPs of BJP speak for themselves”, she pointed out.

Similarly, in Dakshina Kannada, people had noticed Nalin Kumar Kateel’s achievements and the way he utilised Central grants.

Reacting to a query, Tara said that the criticism by the opposition parties on the ‘Chowkidar’ campaign would be a stepping stone for BJP. “Chowkidar stands for security, faith and credibility,” she remarked.

Film stars and politics

Reacting to a remark made by Chief Minister Kumaraswamy on Sumalatha Ambareesh’s film background, Tara Anuradha said film artistes were also a part of society.

“The film industry is a mother for actors and technicians who depend on the industry for their daily bread. I do not see any reason why people from the film industry should not excel in politics. Many film stars in the neighbouring states have been at the helm of affairs,” she noted.

“Kumaraswamy hails from a film background. Kumaraswamy began as a film distributor,” Tara pointed out.

Demand put forth

Fisherwomen urged Tara Anuradha to convey to the party leadership the need for a new fish market with better amenities at the same place. Due to unavailability of fish, it had become difficult to eke a living they said.

Tara Anuradha said that a conference of fishermen community would be organised at Town Hall on April 9. The issues related to the community would be discussed at this meeting, she assured.

Fisherwomen raised slogans-- ‘Mattomme Modi’ (Modi again) and ‘Tadanantara Modi’ (Modi yet again).