BJP stages dharna at ONGC project site; demands apology

Mangalore, June 23 (UNI) BJP Karnataka President Sadananda Gowda, MP, along with local party MLAs, today staged a dharna in protest against the ONGC and MRPL officials for not properly briefing them about the postponement of the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Rs 4900 crore refinery complex following the Prime Minister's inability to attend it due to inclement weather.

Talking to reporters at the project venue at Permude in Dakshina Kannada district, Mr Gowda said ONGC Managing Director R S Sharma did not even have the courtesy to apologise to the gathering before postponing the programme.

''It is unfortunate that Dr Singh could not come and attend the function due to bad weather. But the officials did not even have the courtesy to come and brief the elected representatives about he developments,'' he said and demanded an apology from Mr Sharma.

He said he would move a privilege motion against ONGC and MRPL officials in Parliament and also apprise Union Petroleum Minister Murli Deora about their behaviour.

However, Mr Gowda and others gave up their agitation after Mr Sharma apologised and informed them that he had rushed to the Mangalore airport following a call from Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

Earlier in the day, Mr Gowda and Fisheries Minister B Nagaraj Shetty told reporters that the ONGC should not cancel the function due to Dr Singh's inability to attend it.

They said ''The foundation stone should be laid at any cost today because people from far off places have come here to participate in the function. Besides villagers who had given up their land for the project are also eagerly awaiting for the event. Let the ONGC invite the Prime Minister for the inaugural of the project once it is completed.'' UNI MA RG GM1521