Pics: Sumanth Poojary
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Aug 5: In a press meet held at the press club in Udupi on August 5, Congress leader Uday Kumar Muniyal made allegations against BJP MLA Sunil Kumar regarding the Parashurama statue and demanded his resignation.
Uday Kumar Muniyal accused Sunil Kumar of seizing the Parashurama statue under suspicious circumstances. "Despite presenting evidence, we hoped the BJP would acknowledge their mistakes and work towards social development. Initially, when the Parashuram theme park was inaugurated, we collaborated with them for the development of tourism. However, all the people working there claimed that the statue is ‘fake,’ created only for election benefits. The upper part of the statue was supposedly taken under the guise of needing to adjust its bow angle. We demand to know where the upper part of the statue is," he stated.
He further added, "The statue of Parashurama has four legs; two are currently in police custody while the other two remain at the theme park. We want to know which the real one is. It is uncharacteristic of religious figures to engage in such deceitful acts. They keep lying and make people believe their lie as truth."
Addressing his involvement in the police investigation, Uday clarified, "The police officials called anyone who filed a complaint to be present for investigation purposes. Therefore, I went there as a common man and not as any politician."
Uday also raised concerns about a financial transaction of Rs 1.25 crore to Krishna Nayak, the sculptor of the Parashurama statue, in November 2022, without a proper work order. "Krishna Nayak placed a stay order on the investigation. If no mistakes were made, why was a stay order placed?" Uday questioned, demanding an explanation from the BJP regarding the upper part of the statue.
Other attendees at the press meet included Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, president of the Udupi district Congress, Deepak Kotian, president of Udupi Youth Congress, Ramesh Kanchan, president of block Congress, Jyothi Hebbar, general secretary of Udupi district Congress, and Subith Kumar and Subhod.