Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Nov 10: Former minister Ramanath Rai, who was in news due to his controversial statements even when he was the forest minister, has once again such political statement.

Ramanath Rai, who was speaking at the district Congress office on the occasion of the second anniversary of demonetization said that if Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP is unable to put pressure on the central government to prevent Vijaya Bank from merging with other banks, then he is as good as dead. “Only his funeral remains to be performed,” he said.

"The central government has merged a profit making bank like Vijaya Bank. People of our community have strived a lot to bring Vijaya Bank to the level where it stands today. Does the honourable MP have any knowledge of this?" questioned Ramanath Rai.

Continuing his barrage against Nalin, the former minister said, "At least now let Nalin put pressure on the central government and stop the process of merger. Otherwise, we have to question whether Nalin Kumar Kateel is dead. In addition, we will be forced to say that only his funeral rites are remaining to be carried out."

"A profit-making bank like Vijaya Bank is merged with Dena Bank. Vijaya Bank is one of the proud banks of our state. The BJP leaders, who raise their voices for each and everything, could not put in least of effort to prevent the bank from merging with other banks," fumed Ramanath Rai.

It might be recalled that Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP had vented his anger on the Tipu Jayanti, on Friday, November 9, by saying that Siddaramaiah is a bigger religious bigot than Tipu. “Instead of holding Tipu Jayanti, it was better for chief minister Kumaraswamy to hold Siddaramaiah Jayanti,” Nalin had said.