Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Jan 19: The district Congress on Friday January 19 hit back at BJP spokesperson Harikrishna Bantwal for criticising district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai at a recent press meet over the issue of use of Koti-Chennaya image in BJP's banner at a programme in Puttur.
Addressing a press meet here, Congress spokesperson A C Vinayraj said, "Harikrishna Bantwal has made a habit of levelling fake allegations to defame Ramanath Rai.
"He claimed that during the chief minister’s visit to Bantwal to inaugurate Sri Narayana Guru Jnana Mandir, it was noticed that the CM’s image was put up in the banner along with the image of Sri Narayana Guru. Harikrishna Bantwal needs to know that organizers invited Siddaramaiah to inaugurate the Jnana Mandir and they themselves put his picture in the banner along with that of Sri Narayana Guru. Harikrishna Bantwal should tell the people of the Billawa community whose image should have been used in the banner during the programme.
"During the inauguration of Jnana Mandir, Harikrishna Bantwal had delivered the introductory speech and was seen praising Siddaramaiah for his works. But he has made a habit of making fake allegations just for publicity and to defame Ramanath Rai. This is not a constructive but cheap politics. BJP had justified using Koti-Chennaya image during their political meeting at Puttur. Harikrishna Bantwal should have raised his voice over the issue as it was a matter of respect for his community," he said.
"They (BJP) are aware that Congress does not use god's or deity's image in any political programme. Congress has always been known for good and development works. Harikrishna Bantwal is engaging in mudslinging with fake allegations to divert the minds of people. Ever since he joined the BJP, he has never spoken about development and is only criticizing Ramanath Rai. He has no moral right to do so. I will give Harikrishna Bantwal an open invitation to talk about development works. We are in the situation where we have development versus fake allegations. Harikrishna Bantwal has joined BJP just to attack Rai," he added.