Udupi: The Bommarabettu Rural Congress Committee, in association with Kapu Block Congress Committee (North) and Hiriyadaka unit, staged a massive protest on Monday at the Grama Vathar of Hiriyadaka, accusing the Bommarabettu Grama Panchayat Vice President and his associates of engaging in corruption and illegal activities.

Allegations of extortion and threats

Speaking at the protest meeting, Ramesh Kanchan, Udupi Taluk President of the Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committee, alleged that the Vice President was harassing and extorting money from entrepreneurs willing to invest in Bommarabettu.

“Investors from outside towns come forward to set up industries and factories, which will generate employment for our youth and contribute to the village’s growth. However, instead of facilitating development, the Vice President has been threatening these entrepreneurs and collecting illegal payments,” Kanchan claimed.

MLAs accused of supporting corrupt practices

Kanchan further criticised local MLAs, alleging they were indirectly supporting the Vice President despite repeated complaints from the villagers.

“What message are our MLAs sending by backing a corrupt Panchayat leader? People now feel their representatives are more interested in shielding wrongdoers than addressing unemployment or promoting industrial growth,” he said, urging immediate action.

Congress leaders voice strong criticism

Prominent Congress leaders, including Harish Kini Alevoor (District President, KPCC Campaign Committee) and Santosh Bhairampally (Udupi Taluk Committee Member, Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committee), also spoke at the protest, condemning the alleged misuse of power and demanding an impartial inquiry.

Participation of party functionaries

The protest saw the presence of several key party members, including:

  • Saurabh Ballal – NSUI District President

  • Charan Vithala – Kapu Block Congress Committee (North) President

  • Ravindra Pujari – Bommarabettu Rural Congress President

  • Leaders Pushpa Anchan, Sahana Kamath, and Laxminarayan Prabhu

They reiterated that the Congress would continue to hold protests until concrete action is taken against the accused Vice President.

Conclusion

The protest concluded with a demand for MLAs and Panchayat officials to prioritise developmental projects and employment generation over political protectionism. Party leaders warned that failure to act could result in intensified public agitation across the region.