Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Jul 10: District in-charge minister Ramanath Rai on Monday July 10 challenged union minister D V Sadananda Gowda and Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje to contest the forthcoming Assembly elections opposite minister U T Khader and Rai himself.
Addressing a press meet here, Rai said, "D V Sadananda Gowda, BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa and MP Shobha Karandlaje criticized me and U T Khader for the communal unrest in the district and also alleged that probhibitory orders were relaxed when chief minister Siddaramaiah arrived in Mangaluru for the Congress convention. Shobha Karandlaje should understand that there were no prohibitory orders within the Mangaluru city commissionerate. This indicates that she does not have knowledge about the district.
"B S Yeddyurappa said that I should remain in Bengaluru for one month but I have only one house, that is in Bantwal. I am not like Yeddyurappa who has many houses in the state. Shobha Karandlaje and Yeddyurappa deserve to be subjected to ED investigation to check how much illegal land they possess," Rai said.
"Congress has always been known for maintaining peace and harmony in the district and has always worked towards uniting people of all religions. Congress has also fulfilled the promises made in the manifesto, having introduced several development works and people-friendly schemes. Congress has never involved in any communal unrest in the district, we have always stressed on maintaining peace in the district.
"Everyone knows that some provocative speeches have led to communal unrest in the past. I urge people not to lend hears to rumours or messages in social media, and appeal for peace in the district," he entreated.
"These murders are planned in advance to create unrest in the district. I have discussed this with the chief minister and the officials concerned and urged them to arrest the main conspirator behind these communal clashes and murders in the district. When Sec 144 was clamped in the district, what was the neccessity to hold such a massive protest by involving youths and violating prohibitory orders? They were also seen celebrating by lifting Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat," Rai said.
Rai aso informed that a peace meet would be held in the DC's office on July 13.
Minister for food and civil supplies U T Khader, who was also present, slammed union minister D V Sadananda Gowda and Shobha Karandhlaje for making 'irresponsible' statements and politicising the unrest in the district. "They themselves were involved in this communal unrest, and then they blamed me and Ramanath Rai for it. They violated the prohibitory orders that clamped in the district. Maintaining peace is the utmost prirority of the state government and we appeal to the people to maintain peace.
"We are also trying to claim compensation from the government for Sharath Madivala's family," Khader added.
MLA Abhaychandra Jain, chief whip of Legislative Council Ivan D'Souza, district Congress president Harish Kumar, Mithun Rai, Ibrahim Kodijal and others were present.