MLC Ivan D’Souza, who is also parliamentary secretary to Chief Minister began a day-long hunger strike in front of Mahatma Gandhi statue near Town Hall, in Mangaluru, to protest against the merger of Vijaya Bank with the Bank of Baroda.
He began his hunger strike after garlanding the statue of Gandhi, in front of Town Hall. He also offered floral tribute to the portrait of the founder of the bank A B Shetty.
Speaking on the occasion, he said the merger of the bank has hurt the sentiments of the people of Dakshina Kannada district. Merging a profit making bank with that of a bank which has incurred over Rs 4000 crore profit is condemnable.
He said “Vijaya Bank is the pride of Dakshina Kannada district. Merging a bank that was set up for the welfare of farmers and people in the district and changing the name of the bank is not justifiable.”