MLA, ex-MLA trade charges over Udupi Kambala land

Udupi: After Kaup MLA Gurme Suresh Shetty of BJP held a foundation stone-laying ceremony for Udupi Kambala on Feb 28, former MLA Vinay Kumar Sorake of Congress alleged that the land had still not been handed over by the sports and youth empowerment department to Kambala Committee headed by Shetty.Shetty, however, refuted the charges and accused Sorake of engaging in petty politics.Sorake told reporters Monday that the land reserved for Kambala activities came with specific conditions, including exclusive use for Kambala-related work. Since the land had not yet been handed over to Kambala Committee, holding events violated those conditions, he said, referring to Feb 28th ceremony at Bairanje near Athrady for constructing Udupi Kambala tracks.Sorake said about 10 families were engaged in farming on the land identified for the Kambala track and were awaiting title deeds. No district-level official meeting on Udupi Kambala had been held so far, he added. The MLA organised the programme on revenue land along with party colleagues, Sorake said.BJP warns of black-flag protestIn a separate press conference, Shetty said former minister Sorake was obstructing development and public works in the Kaup constituency. "We will not tolerate this. If the politics of conflict continues, we will display black flags to the district minister," he warned.Shetty accused Sorake of using officials to pressure the govt and hinder development projects. "Six months ago, govt officials conducted an inspection, marked boundaries, and allocated 6.3 acres of land to department of youth empowerment. An apolitical and secular Kambala Committee was formed, and an invitation letter was sent to the district minister, who gave his approval. Photos of Congress leaders were printed. At the last moment, Sorake pressured the minister to stop the Kambala, continuing his political machinations. This once again proves the ministers' indifference towards the coastal region and lack of funding," he said.Karkala MLA Sunil Kumar said the Congress's hidden agenda was to prevent public activities and hinder the district's development. "We will not tolerate officials acting like puppets for defeated Congress candidates," he added.Udupi-Chikkamagalur MP Kota Shrinivas Poojary, MLAs Yashpal Suvarna, Kiran Kumar Kodgi, and others were present.