Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Nov 14: Former minister Ramanath Rai accused BJP MLA Rajesh Naik of being involved in illegal red stone quarry business and said, "I had earlier mentioned that there is a relative of the MLA in the illegal redstone quarry work that is going on in the taluk. The Bantwal MLA had challenged me to prove the same with documents. I did not say the name of the MLA. Now he has accepted that he is involved in this by conducting press conference. Now I am proving it with records.”

Ramanath Rai spoke at the press conference that was held in the city on Saturday November 14.

"Permit is taken for Tenkaedapadavu region and illegal work is going on. The permit is in the name of Usha Naik, wife of Bantwal MLA Rajesh Naik. Though the permit is for Tenkaedapadavu, redstone mud is being transported from Mudipu. It is also used to transport red bauxite from Mudipu.

"In Mudipu, permission is given only to level the land. The permit is obtained illegally in the name of Kairangala PDO. From Mudipu, red bauxite is being sold to renowned cement companies of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. As much as 14,000 tonnes of red bauxite is transported in the name of the PDO.

"Bantwal MLA Rajesh Naik had challenged me to prove the allegation. He had also said that he will resign if the accusation is proved. BJP members are secular when it comes to business. Only for vote sake they talk about protecting Hindu religion. In sand and other mining they are secular. They mingle freely with people from other religions and do illegal business.

"I have written letter to the chief secretary of state about illegal mining. Bantwal MLA poses as if he is a farmer. Let it get proven whether he is a farmer or a businessman,” said Rai.