Udupi: Tebma Shipyard Paid Rs 10 Lac to Raghupati Bhat - Madhwaraj
Shubhalakshmi
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Feb 11: "The claim made by MLA Raghupati Bhat that he had nothing to do with the recent rave party at St Mary's Island in Malpe is absolutely false, as is well known," said Udupi block Congress president Pramod Madhwaraj.
He was addressing media persons here on Saturday February 11, a day after Raghupati Bhat levelled allegations against Madhwaraj that he had received favour from UPCL which led to his withdrawing from the agitation against the company. Bhat had also pointed out the organiser of the Malpe rave party was also a classmate of Madhwaraj.
Continuing the volley of allegations, Madhwaraj told reporters that Rs 10 lac had been transferred by cheque to Bhat's Parivar trust from Tebma Shipyard. "If officially the payment is Rs 10 lac, one can only imagine the amount of money that changed hands unofficially," he added.
He also said that he was in no way lured by the Nagarjuna (UPCL) company with regard to the power project, as claimed by Bhat.
"There is no question of being lured. Moreover, I have all the documents and letters regarding my resignation as president of anti-UPCL agitation. I am ready to face for any enquiry into the matter," he said.
He also produced a 17-page document listing a number of allegations against Raghupati Bhat, a copy of which is in possession with Daijiworld.
"Bhat has indulged in illegal denotification of land in Udupi just like his BJP ministers and leaders in Bangalore. A complaint will be lodged with the Lokayukta in this regard soon," he said, and added that he was ashamed to call Bhat his classmate.
"Bhat has recieved lacs of rupees in the name of festivals and events from organizers. He has made it is his business to accumulate wealth by illegal means," Madhwaraj lashed out, pointing out that in 2005-06 Bhat's income was Rs 3,10,000 but now it has crossed crores.
"When in Opposition, Raghupati Bhat, Lalaji Mendon, Dr V S Acharya, chief minister Sadananda Gowda and others were against the UPCL project, but now being in the ruling party they are favouring it. How can that be possible?" he questioned.
He also reiterated that Raghupati Bhat is closely connected with the organizing of rave party at Malpe.
Congress leaders Kishan Hegde Kolkebail, Dinesh Putran, Amrit Shenoy, K Janardhan Bhandarkar, Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, Narasimhamurthy, Alevoor Harish Kini, Bhaskar Rao Kediyoor, Janardhan Tonse and many others were present.