BJP Yuva Morcha stages ‘Go Back’ protest against Hebbalkar in Udupi

Udupi: Members of the BJP Yuva Morcha on Saturday staged a ‘Go Back’ protest against district minister Laxmi R Hebbalkar, alleging that the Congress-led state govt had neglected the development of Udupi district and adopted a “stepmotherly s attitude” towards it.

The protest was held near the Deputy Commissioner’s office, Rajathadri, when the minister arrived to participate in the KDP meeting. Protesters raised slogans against the govt and attempted to move towards the road. Police personnel stopped them from proceeding further and tightened security arrangements.

Addressing the protesters, Prithviraj Shetty alleged that the state govt had weakened the public transport system in Udupi following the implementation of the guarantee schemes. He said that more than 40 buses were operating under the JnNURM scheme in Udupi earlier, but claimed that nearly 50% of those buses have now stopped operations, causing inconvenience to commuters.

He further accused the govt of failing to complete the work on the Udupi district hospital, thereby causing hardship to poor patients dependent on govt healthcare facilities.

The protesters also criticised the govt for allegedly ignoring several key issues affecting the district and demanded immediate attention to developmental works.