Minister, MLC extracting political mileage for projects sanctioned during BJP’s rule: D. Vedavyas Kamath

D. Vedavyas Kamath accuses MLCs of claiming credit for BJP-sanctioned projects, highlighting ongoing developmental works in Mangaluru.

D. Vedavyas Kamath, Mangaluru City South MLA, on Tuesday, accused district in-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao and Ivan D’Souza, MLC, of extracting political mileage by taking credit for projects sanctioned by the earlier State government led by the BJP and BJP-ruled Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) Council.

Speaking to reporters in Mangaluru on Tuesday, Mr. Kamath said most of the developmental projects which are being taken up in Mangaluru city now are the ones that were sanctioned during the BJP rule. The works approved during the rule of the BJP-led MCC council are also being taken up. Mr. Rao and Mr. D’Souza are now trying to project these works as though they were sanctioned by the Congress-led government, he alleged.

Mr. Kamath said the project of having a box culvert replace the old bridge on M.G. Road in Mangaluru was first proposed by Mangaluru Smart City Limited. But the government decided not to have the box culvert and diverted the funds for completing the new office of the Deputy Commissioner in Padil. Then the BJP-led council unanimously decided to allocate about ₹2 crore from MCC premium FAR funds for the project, but could not commence the work following the end of the council’s five-year term a year ago.

He and the former BJP councillors pursued the matter. That led the Deputy Commissioner and Administrator of MCC H.V. Darshan to sanction about ₹2 crore for the project. The work order was issued on February 24, 2026.

Similarly, following relentless pursuit by the MLA and former BJP councillors, Mr. Darshan sanctioned ₹3.42 crore for the replacement of a part of the damaged pipeline connecting Kodiyalguttu Wet Well and Kudroli Wet Well. The work is set to commence shortly, Mr. Kamath said.