Senior Congress functionary B Ramanath Rai addressing media in Mangaluru Wednesday
Mangaluru: Former minister and senior Congress functionary B Ramanath Rai Wednesday challenged BJP leaders from the coastal region to take up the long-pending demand to include Tulu in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution with the Centre. Reacting to BJP leaders’ demand for Tulu to be declared Karnataka’s second official language ahead of the state cabinet meeting in Mangaluru, Rai questioned why they were not pursuing its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule.
Because there is a possibility that the state government may announce it at the cabinet meeting, “BJP leaders have started demanding second official language status for Tulu only.
Take up the issue with your party leadership and the Prime Minister,” Rai said, adding that an assurance to pursue the matter with the Centre would provide the recognition and respect sought for Tulu. He said he would submit a representation to the CM. He said Congress leaders had raised and discussed naming Mangaluru airport after Koti-Chennaya, and welcomed tourism development on the coast and the govt’s decision to hold the cabinet meeting in Dakshina Kannada. For Congress, development is our agenda,” he said.
Why aren’t they showing interest in taking it up for the Eighth Schedule?” he asked. “You have MLAs, the MP is from your party, and BJP is in power at the Centre. “For some, elections are their first agenda.