Pejavar seer announces 'fasting protest' against UPCL; Scribes' tempo meets with accident

March 15, 2011

Udupi, March15: Pejawar Mutt pontiff Sri Vishesha Theertha Swamiji has demanded the UPCL to stop the production of power, affecting health and environment, till the life of the people affected by the same is set right.

Swamiji has also announced to observe one meal a day fasting, to show his concern for the affected people and share their sufferings, from Saturday.

He was speaking at the interaction programme between the environmental experts, activists, journalists and the representatives of UPCL, held at Srikrishna Balaniketana, Kukkikatte, near here on Tuesday evening.

It is to be noted here that ill effects of the coal based power plant had resulted in water in the local wells turning saline, due to the discharge of water, released after cooling the boilers. In addition to that the bottom ash stored in a natural lake turned open ash pond, has been creating havoc in the life of the families residing in the area.

Speaking at the interaction programme environmentalist Ashok Kundapur took the UPCL to task for not feeling sorry in spite of causing health and environmental hazards and not rectifying the same to safeguard the interests of the people.

Environment expert Dr NA Madhyastha warned that abuse of nature would be retracted immediately, as it happened on Japan. He said that as the area beneath the Western Ghats, is very sensitive, abuse of fertile area in and around project site would surely result in disaster of some sort.

On the occasion, Jayakrishna Shetty of Jayashreekrishna Parisara Samithi confessed to have worked as the agent of Nagarjuna and Lanco, but took the present UPCL management to task for their gross negligence affecting the people. “It is fit case for filing an FIR against UPCL. It should be kicked out from the district”, Shetty added.

Activist Vidya Dinkar objected to UPCL producing power without a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) approved by the KERC. “They are selling the power in black to the Karnataka government. State government and the District-in-charge Minister Dr VS Acharya may in collusion with the company'', she accused. Vidya also demanded the company to make public the Environment Impact Assessment Report.

Replying to the queries Vice President (Operations) of UPCL Kishore Alva and its COO Raveendran agreed to have caused some nuisance and said that everything had been set right a week back.

Accident

As per the decision of the meeting all the members decided to visit the project site immediately to have a first hand report of the situation in the site. Although Pejawar Swamiji reached the ash pond site, the programme got cancelled as two of the tempo travelers, in which journalists were visiting the site, met with an accident by colliding each other. In the incident, environmentalist Ashok Kundapur and some of the journalists and cameramen got hurt. After the incident Swamiji, Kishore Alva and others returned from the site postponing the visit to Wednesday.

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No rift, no rebel: Siddaramaiah–DKS stage a dramatic show of unity after high command push

News Network

November 29,2025

New Delhi: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar on Saturday put up a dramatic display of unity at a closely watched joint press briefing, firmly dismissing weeks of speculation about a power-sharing tussle within the Congress. With the high command nudging both leaders to sit together and settle the dust, the meeting became a political spectacle, ending with the duo declaring that there was “no confusion, no differences.”

Calling the reports of a rift “manufactured confusion,” Siddaramaiah said the talks had gone smoothly, even joking about their breakfast. “Breakfast was very good. All three of us enjoyed it,” he said. “We want to end this confusion once and for all. For local elections and for 2028, our mission is clear — Congress must return to power. There is no difference between me and DKS, not now, not before.”

He blamed the media for fuelling rumours and reiterated absolute adherence to the party leadership. “From tomorrow, let there be no confusion. What the high command says, we will follow.”

Siddaramaiah also assured that the Assembly session starting December 8 would run smoothly and vowed that Congress would take on the BJP and JD(S) “together.”

Shivakumar echoed the chief minister word for word, stressing loyalty and discipline. “People have given us a massive mandate. It is our duty to deliver,” he said. “This government was formed under Siddaramaiah’s leadership. We both have complete trust in the high command. If they tell me to wait, I will wait.”

He added that the two leaders had discussed strategy for the 2028 Assembly elections. “Whatever the CM says, I agree. We are loyal soldiers of the party. The party may be facing challenges nationally, but we will keep it strong in Karnataka.”

Shivakumar also said Siddaramaiah would soon visit his home for lunch or dinner — another symbolic gesture meant to underline their unity.

Both leaders later posted on social media describing the breakfast meeting as “productive” and focused on “Karnataka’s priorities.”

The BJP, however, rejected the show of camaraderie as “pure bunkum,” accusing Congress of trying to paper over an internal power struggle. But Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar insisted their united front would continue — and that there was “no confusion” within the state leadership.

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