Udupi: The entire opposition BJP councilors walked out over the issue of construction of a market complex next to KSRTC bus station, Udupi in the General Body meeting of Udupi City Municipal Council (CMC).

There was the quorum for the meeting where 23 members were present excluding nominated five members. The quorum required 18 members including opposition. Majority of the ruling congress members were not present during the meeting even though they had the agenda of the meeting. CMC President Meenakshi Bannanje said that some of the members were suffering from fever and some were out of station.

After the BJP councilors walked out, there was no quorum and CMC President Meenakshi Bannanje was forced to adjourn the meeting.

The leader of Opposition M. R. Pai said the CMC had prepared a blueprint of the said market complex to come up in the place of the Visvesvarya Market complex. Pai said that the issue had been included in the agenda of the meeting. But the councilors had not been taken into confidence.

Meenakshi Bannanje said she would reply to all queries when agenda was taken up. But this did not satisfy the opposition members and began walking out of the meeting hall. President requested the opposition to remain in the council and so she would reply to their queries. But opposition had made no impact and Ms. Bannanje forced to adjourn the meeting for half an hour.

After requesting the opposition outside the meeting hall which turned down, Ms. Bannanje returned to the meeting hall and said that the meeting had been adjourned and directed the CMC Commissioner D. Manjunathaih to brief the media persons about the new market complex.

During the clippings of newly proposed commercial building, D. Manjunathaih said that the proposal for constructing the new market complex in the place of the Visvesvaraya market complex was first mooted in 2010, then BJP ruling of CMC, Udupi under public private partnership mode. The feasibility report was prepared in 2012.

One of the nominated member of the congress, Janardhan Bhandarkar said that it was the decision of the then Deputy Commissioner Dr. Vishal to construct the building with private public partnership. The DC also established committee of officers for the purpose. All the plan done in accordance of the rule and regulations. During the tender about 12 construction companies took part and one of the builder of the city Mandavi Builders completed all the formalities required. At every stage, the information’s’ on the subject were given to all the council members. The opposition are playing politics and they are against the development of the city, he added.

But Yashpal Suvarna opposition member of the CMC said that we agree that the said project came under BJP rule but not later proceeded. He wanted to say that all the information regarding that building construction should be given to members of public as well as all the councilors of CMC. But not so happened and called directly the tender activities. He said when the decision to give the property to the private should be to conduct meetings. But it has not been done. That’s why we oppose the issue and even some of the congress councilors also oppose. When the ruling party make any mistakes, then ruling congress councilors are with us which is not a bad thing, he added

The plan of the building consist of three floors which cost Rs. 12 crores, for which 110 cars parking place and shall be given to private for 30 years which will cost Rs. 20.90 lakhs income for the Municipality.

Prior to the walking out by the opposition, around half an hour debate was held in CMC. During the meeting councilors demanded undertaking of patchwork on some of the main streets in the city. Ramesh Kanchan raising the issue said that the stretch of the road from MIT bus stand to the Tiger Circle in Manipal was in a bad shape due to the rain and repair works should be taken up. Ganesh Nergi member said that the road in Malpe too was in bad shape and resulting in traffic jams. President Meenakshi Bannanje said that the road belonged to the Public Works Department and the CMC would write to it to repair the road immediately.

Yashpal Suvarna said that some of the main roads in the city also had potholes. Patchwork should be taken up to fill potholes. Vasanthi Shetty sought to know if the NHAI had sought the permission of the CMC to construct an overpass from Ambalpady to Brahamagiri on NH66. D. Manjunathaiah said that the NHIA had not sought any permission on this issue. If the NHAI sought it, the matter to be placed before the council so that the members could decide on it.

Prior to the start of monthly general meeting of CMC officials and members honored Vasanthi Shetty for appointment as member of Tulu Sahitya Academy, Karnataka state.