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Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Jan 15: MP Nalin Kumar Kateel has alleged that the merger of Vijaya Bank was the plan of the earlier Congress led UPA government.

Addressing a press meet on Tuesday, January 15, Kateel denied involvement of BJP and its other MPs who belong from coastal Karnataka in the merger.

“BJP has nothing to do in this issue. Congress party and Veerappa Moily is responsible for merger of Vijaya Bank. During the tenure of UPA government, Veerappa Moily was the chairman of finance committee of cabinet. The finance committee collectively passed the resolution for merger of the bank. Moily had power to suspend the decision. But he did not and instead approved the process. Hiding this fact, the Congress leaders are making noise and alleging that BJP had a role in merger. The people of the district know the facts and they won’t listen to Congress party’s fabricated story,” Kateel lashed out.

Now Vijaya Bank already merged with Bank of Baroda and we can’t revert the merger. But BJP will put all efforts to retain the name Vijaya Bank along with Bank of Baroda. The BJP MPs from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi have already discussed the same with finance minister Arun Jaitley and are waiting for his positive response.

Giving a hint on the ‘upcoming fall’ of state government he said, “We already crossed the ‘Sankranthi’. It is time for good news and it will be come in shortly. The BJP leaders attended meeting of party’s national executive committee. They did not go to attend resort politics.”

Taking a dig on Congress Padayatra from Nelyadi to B.C road he said, “It is the march of defeated party and its leaders. The march is good for their health because it will reduce the fat of their body. As a MP I put my sincere efforts for the four lane road between Bengaluru and Mangaluru. But state government has not done anything for this project,” he said.

Answering the challenges posed by MLC Ivan D Souza during his hunger protest at Gandhi Park, Nalin said “It is easy to speak in front of party supporters. But he should follow what he speaks. If he has guts he should contest against me in Lok Sabha election and should defeat me.”

Jithendra Kottari and Jagadish Adhikari were present.