Minister saying communal violence led to reduced investments in coastal region is true, says Dinesh Gundu Rao

“The observation (by Minister Priyank Kharge) that repeated incidents of communal violence led to Coastal Karnataka losing investments is true. However, after coming to power, we have improved the situation. We have ensured better law and order by posting good officers in Mangaluru and surrounding areas. We have also taken several measures to attract investments that can lead to the overall development of the region,” Health Minister and Dakshina Kannada in-charge Dinesh Gundu Rao said in Bailhongal of Belagavi district on Monday.

He was responding to a query on Minister Priyank Kharge’s statement that repeated communal violence reduced investments in Coastal Karnataka.

“The State government is taking several steps to promote tourism, fisheries, waterways transport and other industries in the coastal region. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar recently inaugurated an international tourism conclave in Mangaluru. KEONICS is building an IT park at a cost of ₹50 crore in Dakshina Kannada,” he said.

“People of the coastal region are beginning to realise that secularism is the way forward as it brings peace and that communalism disturbs law and order. We are also carrying out several awareness programmes about communalism. Police officers of the three districts are keeping an eye on those making provocative statements on social media. Such people will face legal action,” he said.

Mr. Gundu Rao, however, refused to respond to Priyank Kharge’s statement that RSS is like a monster and the BJP is its shadow. “I do not have much information about it. You better ask him,” he said about his cabinet colleague’s stand.

To a query, he said that there is no dissidence in the party and that there is no need to talk about it. “We are all united. All the leaders jointly organised a mega rally in Haveri recently. Everything is going on smoothly,” he said.