Pics: Spoorthi Ullal/Nayana J C
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (NJC)
Mangaluru, Sep 15: High drama unfolded during the Dakshina Kannada KDP meeting as BJP legislators strongly confronted district in-charge minister and minister for Urban Development and Housing U T Khader over corruption allegations made by Puttur MLA Ashok Rai against officials of the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRDL).
The alleged corruption remarks made by Ashok Rai came up for discussion during the meeting, with BJP legislators questioning Khader about the action taken regarding the allegations and seeking clarification on the status of the inquiry.
During the discussion, BJP legislators questioned whether Ashok Rai’s statement had been dismissed as being due to a lack of experience and whether his allegations were being given due importance.
Khader urged the members to focus on important matters and discuss serious issues concerning the district. He also expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which certain issues were raised by the legislators and reprimanded BJP MLA Bharat Shetty, asking him not to engage in what he described as ‘childish behaviour’.
Khader’s remarks drew strong opposition from the BJP legislators, who questioned how allegations of corruption could be dismissed as childish behaviour.
BJP MLA Bharat Shetty launched a sharp attack against Khader, expressing his anger over the minister’s statement and insisting that allegations of corruption should be taken seriously and investigated.
A verbal exchange also took place between the BJP legislators and MLC Ivan D’Souza during the discussion.
Responding to the questions, minister U T Khader said that the BJP members had raised the issue in the right manner and that an investigation into the matter was already underway.
Khader said the authorities were looking into who had provided the information and added that action could not be taken merely based on someone’s statement or allegations.
“Action cannot be taken against good officers without conducting an inquiry,” Khader said, adding that the facts would have to be established through the investigation.
He further clarified that he had not directly awarded any work to KRDL so far.
“Whether the MLA’s statement is wrong or the officials’ statement is wrong will be determined through the investigation,” Khader said.
Khader also instructed the deputy commissioner to ensure that the allegations made by Ashok Rai are investigated at the highest level and that appropriate action is taken based on the findings.
The heated exchange between the minister and BJP legislators created a tense atmosphere during the KDP meeting.