’What have you done for us?’: Heated exchange between Shobha Karandlaje, locals in Udupi

’What have you done for us?’: Heated exchange between Shobha Karandlaje, locals in Udupi

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Feb 17, 2024: Union Minister and BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje faced flak from leaders of the fishermen’s union in Udupi during a meeting over a delay in the completion of the construction of a stretch of a highway from Malpe to Udupi.

 

During a meeting with National Highways Department officials in Udupi, fishermen’s union leader Kishore Suvarna raised the issue before the BJP MP.

A video of the meeting also went viral on social media, where the union members could be seen questioning the minister about the delay in the construction of the three-and-a-half kilometre stretch of the highway.

"We’ve voted for you for 10 years. What have you done for us? Have you called the people of that locality and held a meeting on the same? You haven’t. Why haven’t you? Are you not our public representative? Don’t you have responsibilities? Why haven’t you taken any action regarding that road?" a participant of the meeting told Karandlaje.

"You claim that Minister Nitin Gadkari spoke to you over the phone. And you asked us to hear him. Provide in writing that the minister is lying; we won’t ask you again. Not a single piece of information was shared with us, not even a notification. Put it in writing," another person said.

Notably, the three-and-a-half kilometre stretch of the highway from Malpe to Udupi has been in a dilapidated condition, riddled with potholes.

Residents and traders who travel on two-wheelers and pedestrians have complained of several accidents on the stretch.