Mangaluru : The Dakshina Kannada district Mahila Congress staged a protest here on Monday protesting against the policies of the National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre.

Karnataka Mahila Congress president Laxmi Hebbalkar said that the demonstration was not a publicity stunt, but was aimed at creating awareness about the “misdeeds” of the Union government. Ms. Hebbalkar said that the Union government had not done anything to contain the rising prices of essential commodities, thereby increasing the sufferings of the common man. The portfolio of Minister for External Affairs should have been held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi instead of Sushma Swaraj, she quipped referring to the former’s frequent foreign trips.

She said that instead of bringing in visible change in the life of the common man, Mr. Modi was diverting the attention of the masses by launching popular slogans such as selfie with daughter; Swachh Bharat; Mann Ki Baat; Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao and many more. On the other hand, the Congress believed in true democratic values and non-violence, Ms. Hebbalkar said.

Minister for Health and Family Welfare U.T. Khader said the NDA government came to power by fooling the people. Mr. Modi had promised to bring back the black money stashed abroad. “Forget bringing back black money; people now want the Prime Minister back in the country,” he said.

Shakuntala Shetty, MLA; Ivan D’Souza, MLC; Mamatha Gatti, district Mahila Congress president; and Kodijal Ibrahim, district Congress in-charge president, were present.