BJP wants ONGC to go ahead with foundation stone-laying ceremony

Mangalore, June 23 (UNI) The BJP in Karnataka said the ONGC should not cancel the foundation stone-laying ceremony of its multi-crore Refinery complex in the wake of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh cancelling his visit to the coastal city today due to inclement weather and heavy rain.

Talking to newspersons at the project venue at Permude in Dakshina Kannada district, Party State President V Sadananda Gowda and Fisheries Minister B Nagaraj Shetty said ''The foundation stone-laying ceremony should be held at any cost 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.'' The two leaders said though they were not invited for the function, they came here keeping in mind the development of the region.

Mr Gowda said he already informed Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy about the mood prevailing here and the need to go ahead with the function.

He said he also spoke to the ONGC officials here and the latter assured to consult with their higher authorities on holding the function today.

Dr Singh, who emplaned to Mangalore to take part in the foundation stone-laying ceremony, had to cancel his visit as his aircraft could not land at the Bajpe airport here due to inclement weather.

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