CH NEWS, RAMANAGARA
Former MLA A. Manjunath accused the state government of ignoring alleged irregularities in NICE Road toll collection and said the continued collection was unfair to the public.
He claimed the project framework agreement had been violated and alleged that the government was working with NICE to suppress protests against toll collection.
Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the new JD(S) district office on B.M. Road, Manjunath said the toll issue had become a major public concern. He said the JD(S) and its leaders had called for a protest after studying the legal aspects of the matter. He alleged that the government was misleading people by presenting incorrect information and demanded transparency on the issue.
Manjunath said party workers and leaders would continue opposing the toll collection. He added that even if cases were registered to stop the agitation, the party would pursue the matter through legal channels. Responding to criticism from D.K. Suresh that the JD(S) was creating controversy, Manjunath said the party was raising its voice against what it considered injustice to the public.
He questioned why court directions were being followed on some Bengaluru footpath issues but, according to him, not on NICE Road. He said the road comes under the state government’s responsibility and urged authorities to take immediate steps regarding toll collection.
The new JD(S) district office was opened following a long-standing request from party workers for a dedicated headquarters. Manjunath said the office would serve as a centre for party meetings, programmes and organisational activities. District president Jayamuthu, taluk president Sabbakere Shivalingappa, councillor Manjunath and several party leaders and workers attended the event.