Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Jun 28: Former Congressman and activist Harikrishna Bantwal on Wednesday June 28 demanded the expulsion of district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai both from the ministry as well from Congress for allegedly abusing senior party leader Janardhan Poojary and others.
Addressing a press meet here, Harikrishna Bantwal recalled the incident and said, "On February 6 this year in a wedding party at Buntara Bhavana in Suratkal, Ramanath Rai abused former district Youth Congress president Arun Coelho and former state secretary of Youth Congress Tejaswini Raj. He also referred to Janardhan Poojary in vulgar words, and challenged them as well as Poojary using abusive language.
"Even after this incident, Rai threatened the youth leaders several times for being close to Poojary. Kallige Taranath Shetty was also threatened by Rai for the same reason. Ramanath Rai is behaving like a mafia leader of the Congress party. Many have become the target of his insults. Hence I request the state leadership to expel Rai from all posts in the Congress and the ministry," he urged.
"It is condemnable that Rai used abusive language against Poojary. He insulted not only Poojary but the culture of Tulunadu. He has forgotten the good things Poojary has done for him. Rai is a betrayer. He is trying to divide Bunts and Billavas. He cannot bear to see the two communities on one stage. At the time of communal disturbances also, he was following the same theory. He does not want harmony in the district. For votes and money he is engaged in disturbing communal harmony. The latest video clip which was leaked by his men is the best example for this," he added.
"Janardhan Poojary is attacking Siddaramaiah only in the interest of Congress. Everyone has the right to criticise on facts. Being a minister Rai does not have the guts to criticise Yeddyurappa or other BJP leaders. He is doing politics for power and money," he alleged.