Mangaluru : Congress leader B. Janardhana Poojary on Saturday slammed people’s representatives from Dakshina Kannada, including former Chief Ministers M. Veerappa Moily and D.V. Sadananda Gowda for their support to the Yettinahole project.

Speaking to presspersons at District congress office, Mr. Poojary said remaining in power had become more important for them.

Rebuking Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader for his statement that he would get officials from the Irrigation Department to answer people’s queries, Mr. Poojary said he should think before speaking.

He was still young and had a promising career in politics, the former KPCC President said and challenged the Minister to stop the project if he can.

“Every one makes mistakes; but one becomes great by admitting the same and apologising. It is high time that these leaders admitted their mistakes, apologise to the people of Dakshina Kannada and immediately halt the ongoing project,” Mr. Poojary said.

The smiling face of Mr. Sadananda Gowda would not soothe the ruffled sentiments of people in the district. He speaks in one tone here and in another tone there, Mr. Poojary said.

Taking a dig at Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel for his statement that he was kept in the dark about the project, Mr. Poojary asked whether the MP had become blind.

“Does not he read newspapers and watch television? Everyone knows that the work is going on,” he regretted.

Mr. Poojary said the government appears to be under the impression that it rains throughout the year in the Western Ghats. Already there has been less rain this year; the water flow in the Netravathi has drastically reduced. What would happen if the Yettinahole waters was diverted, he questioned.

Senior Congress leader B. Janardhana Poojary on Saturday said he would not participate in the September 15 rasta roko agitation on Mangaluru-Bengaluru highway at Uppinangady opposing the Yettinahole water diversion project.

Mr. Poojary said people have sent him home saying that he was not required [referring to his electoral defeat in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections]. During the poll campaign, the Congress leader had vociferously opposed the project and said victory or no victory, he would be in the forefront opposing the project.

However, Mr. Poojary said people have to put forth a united fight against the project cutting across party lines.