BJP MLA V Sunil Kumar accuses Congress of 'hindering' Udupi tourism development
Karkala (Karnataka), Nov 13: Karkala BJP MLA V Sunil Kumar on Wednesday criticised the local Congress leadership and the state government for "obstructing" the progress of Karkala’s tourism project over the past year.
His remarks come in the wake of opposition from the Congress camp in Karkala, which raised questions about the authenticity of the 33-foot bronze statue of Lord Parashurama.
Speaking to reporters, Kumar, former Minister for Kannada and Culture, emphasised the importance of the Parashurama Theme Park, a project with administrative approval and funding of Rs 11.05 crore aimed at "boosting local tourism" in Karkala.
The park, located atop Umikkal Hill in Bailoor, Karkala, is seen as a unique stop for travellers journeying between Dharmasthala and Udupi.
Kumar accused Karkala Congress leaders and the state government of "blocking the initiative due to political motives", pointing out that Rs 4.33 crore of the allocated funds remains unreleased.
Addressing the controversy, Kumar explained that sculptor Krishna Naik, who was recently detained following a private complaint by Nallur Krishna Shetty, had sought permission from the district administration to realign the statue based on expert recommendations.
An evaluation by the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal, had suggested minor adjustments in the statue’s alignment. With official approval, the statue was temporarily disassembled, but Congress leaders claimed that it was not constructed with bronze, Kumar alleged.
Kumar also noted that while the tourism department was supposed to release Rs 6.5 crore for the project, only Rs 2.67 crore has been disbursed. He expressed concerns over the release of the remaining funds, given the state’s current financial situation, which he argued is "stalling Karkala’s tourism development".
Rejecting allegations of corruption, Kumar reiterated that the statue was temporarily removed solely for minor alignment adjustments as recommended by NITK experts and will be reinstalled in due course.
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Razakars did burn down our house, can't hold Muslims responsible: Priyank Kharge slams UP CM
Bengaluru: Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday clarified that their family would never blame the entire Muslim community for the tragic incident of their house being burnt down by the Razakars in the past.
Priyank responded sharply to Uttar Pradesh CM Adityanath after he raised the childhood tragedy of Priyank’s father and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, during a rally in poll-bound Maharashtra. Adityanath had mentioned how the Hyderabad Nizam’s Razakars set fire to Mallikarjun Kharge's house in 1948, resulting in the deaths of his mother and sister.
Priyank said, despite the tragedy, his father never played the victim card and never let hatred define him. “It was the Razakars who committed this act—not the entire Muslim community. Every community has bad apples and individuals who do wrong,” he wrote on X.
The Karnataka IT-BT and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj minister asserted that his father, at 82, was fighting to uphold the Constitution against "tyranny and hatred”, adding that Adityanath cannot "bulldoze" Mallikarjun Kharge's principles or ideology.
Priyank further emphasised that they (Dalits) have been subjected to various forms of insult and discrimination by different communities. He called on Adityanath to address these injustices as well. He stated that they lost precious family members and their home and added that it is not for others to speak about their family affair.
"Try winning the elections on PM Narendra Modi's achievements instead of trying to sow seeds of hatred in the society for political gains," Priyank remarked.
