CHIKMAGALUR: The Bharatiya Janata Party has threatened to launch an agitation in the district if the government fails to release funds for road repairs in Chikmagalur in a fortnight.

Addressing presspersons here on Saturday, C.H. Lokesh, general secretary of the district unit of the BJP, said the damage to roads in the district, including State highways and municipal roads is unprecedented. He said roads in the rural areas have become non-existent.

Pointing out that the tourism potential of the district is being adversely affected by the condition of the roads, he demanded that lorries transporting manganese ore be banned.

He said contractors want the underground drinking water pipelines to be shifted from the middle of the road before tenders are called.

Criticising the coalition government in the State for not responding to the needs of the people, Mr. Lokesh alleged that B.Shivaram, Minister for Information who is the minister in charge of Chikmagalur district, is totally ineffective in solving the problems of the district.

He lashed out the United Progressive Alliance Government at the centre, particularly the Left parties, for not taking any steps in bringing down the prices of petroleum products.

Programme

Stating that the Dattamala Abhiyana programme organised by the Bajrang Dal in Dattatreya Peeta from October 17 will be a resounding success, he said all BJP office bearers and workers in the district have been directed to participate in the programme. He called upon the Government and the district administration not to provoke religious sentiments of the Hindus and co-operate in the peaceful conduct of the programme

Mr. Lokesh said a district-wide campaign will be conducted for a week from October 3 to strengthen the party. Booth level meetings will be conducted and Hobli level conventions will be conducted from October 11. He said the party MLAs have been given the responsibility of two Assembly constituencies each.

Municipality

He appealed to the Deputy Commissioner to supersede the Chikmagalur municipality and undertake development works in view of the turmoil in the municipality due to the proposed no-confidence motion against the municipal president.

He said the authorities should demolish all places of worship that have encroached upon the roads.

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