Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jun 19: As the purported video of Karnataka Environment and Forest Minister B Ramanath Rai ordering local SP to arrest RSS leader hit the social media and is making rounds, Ex-congressmen call it a ‘publicity stunt’.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday June 19, former Congress leader Harikrishna Bantwal and M G Hegde lambasted at Ramanath Rai for taking social media route to promote himself in the upcoming state elections.

In the video, Rai was seen speaking to SP Bhushan Borase asking him to book RSS leader Dr. Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat under section 307 (for attempt to murder) for the recent clashes in Kalladka. "If he is in jail, he will not instigate any violence…he is not that great personality… I have chased him at BC Road on one occasion during election time," Ramanath Rai reportedly said.

Further, Bantwal openly challenged Ramanath Rai to arrest him and other activists for disapproval against the Yettinahole project. "We are not afraid of being arrested and will voice our discontent against Yettinahole project…We are not linguists or casteists, whether a Hindu or a Muslim, Netravati water belongs to everyone," Bantwal said.

The duo unleashed their anger at the Congress for internal rift within the party. "I am even ashamed to be addressed as 'Ex-congressmen' looking at the condition of the party," Bantwal said.