Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru Jan 3: Congress spokesperson Jagadeesh Koila on Wednesday, January 3 slammed BJP leader Harikrishna Bantwal and said that he has no moral right to challenge Ramanath Rai to take a vow at Shree Kshethra Dharmastala for ‘abusing’ Janardhana Poojary.

Addressing media he said, "Recently at Garodi, senior Congress leader Janardhana Poojary shed tears not because Ramanath Rai had allegedly ‘abused’ him, but the repeated insult of Harikrishna Bantwal. Harikrishna Bantwal had also used abusive language towards Poojary in the earlier days, and now he is insulting him with his press meets.

“Harikrishna Bantwal was an atheist and never believed the existence of God. Every possible occasion, he used to raise voice over the irregularities at Dharmastala and also against Dharamadhikari Dr Veerendra Heggade. Today after joining BJP, he is remembering God and temples. He has no moral right to dare Ramanath Rai to take a vow at Dharamastala.

“When Harikrishna Bantwal joined BJP, he assured that Billava community would support him and he would bring representatives from his side. But when he contested elections, he could manage to gain only 130 Billava votes. At present it is a ‘do or die’ situation for him. He is lying to survive in politics,” said Jagadeesh Koila.

Bantwal Block Congress president Mailappa Saliyan, Panemangalore Block Congress president Abbas Ali, Chandra Prakash Shetty, Chandrahas Karkera and others were present.