After retracting on own assurance, MP Nalin calls protest against Suratkal toll gate 'politically motivated'

Mangaluru: As the agitation against the Surathkal toll gate entered its fifth day on Friday here, Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel alleged that the protest was a politically motivated one. 

The MP, who had repeatedly assured closure of the toll gate at Suratkal once the Hejamady toll gate was operational, on Friday, however, alleged that the protestors were politicising the issue. “The toll gate was constructed during the UPA tenure. Local Congress leader Oscar Fernandes was the then Union Minister. Nobody had opposed against the toll plaza,” he said while speaking to reporters at the district BJP office.

He further added that the BJP was committed to close the toll gates at Mukka and BC Road and a letter has been written to those concerned in this regards. He added that the flyover works at Pumpwell and Thokkottu will be completed in December.

MLAs Sanjeeva Matandoor, Dr Bharath Shetty, Umanath Kotian, party leaders Brijesh Chowta, Harikrishna Bantwal and others were present.