Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Jan 5: Former minister Krishna J Palemar on Friday January 5 allegedly that Mangaluru North MLA Mohiuddin Bava, in whose constituency the murder of Deepak Rao took place two days ago, was 'misleading' the people by claiming that the accused in the case are connected to the BJP. Palemar also demanded that Bava be questioned in the case.

In a press meet held on Thursday January 4, MLA Bava had claimed accused in the Deepak murder case and his relatives are in the BJP. "I suspect that this murder is politically motivated as accused criminal Pinky Nawaz, his brother Laden Ismail and brother-in-law Mohammed Ali are BJP representatives in Suratkal and Kaup," Bava had said.

Countering the claim, Palemar on Friday said, "MLA Mohiuddin Bava is misleading the people. I have no connection with the accused Pinky Nawaz and neither does the accused belong to the BJP. In fact, I feel that Bava should be questioned in the case. Bava has been supporting cattle thieves in his constituency, and in the case of Kabeer, a cow trafficker, it was Bava who demanded compensation of Rs 25 lac for Kabeer's family and the one who helped Kabeer's accomplices to escape from law.

"Bava has claimed that Pinky Nawaz had campaigned for me in the last elections. I totally deny this allegation. It is baseless. Pinky Nawaz was not a BJP member or worker, but it may have happened that someone may have used his name to blame our party. BJP workers do not involve in crimes," he said.

Palemar also criticized Bava over law and order situation in Suratkal. "Crime rate has increased ever since Bava became MLA. Traffic offenders are able to escape and police are unable to take any action. Cars with tinted windows and helmetless riding have become common in Suratkal, but no action is taken."

Palemar also criticised the police for taking shifting Deepak's body to his hometown without anyone's knowledge. "We wanted to take the body in a procession from the hospital to Katipalla. We had even informed all the party workers to be present for the funeral procession, but the police shifted the body without anyone's knowledge."

HJV leader Satyajit Suratkal said that just because Pinky Nawaz's relatives were in the BJP, it did not mean Nawaz too was a BJP member. He denied having any connection with Nawaz.

Umanath Kotian addressing the press meet challenged Mohiddin Bava to prove the allegations against Palemar and the BJP, and warned of a protest in front of his house if he failed to do so.

Capt Brijesh Chowta and others were present.