Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network- Mangaluru (VP)

Mangaluru, Apr 1: Former minister Ramanath Rai slammed Former MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and claimed that the BJP did not give him a ticket because he was incompetent. He further explained the nomination process of Padmaraj R Poojary and detailed the party's procession before submitting the name for contesting the elections.

Addressing the media on Monday, April 1, at the Mallikatte Congress office, Ramanath Rai said, "If Nalin Kumar Kateel had done anything good, then today he would be backed by his own party. But today they removed him, and the reason for his removal should be explained by the BJP, although we all know that he did not work as a good MP, hence his own party removed him. MRPL, ONGC, MCF, NITK, and all other industries were brought by the Congress. We have given a lot of preference to the backward community, although the BJP claims to do so, but we have already done it."

He further added, "Padmaraj R will submit documents for Lok Sabha candidacy. Padmaraj has been elected for this district, and we have already visited blocks and further work has started. In a few days, it will be over. On April 3, Wednesday, we will submit the documents. In this district, there are many religions, and Padmaraj will visit temples, churches, and mosques. The procession will start from Kudroli temple and end at AB Shetty circle, although some buffer zones will be avoided. The nomination will be given at 11 a.m., and all the programs in the district and all the Congress supporters should support us. Congress has always supported the poor and has helped a lot in developing the district. Oscar Fernandes, Ranganath Shenoy, TA Pai, and all those who have been elected from Congress have developed the district. I can clearly say that all the credit for development in Dakshina Kannada goes to Jawaharlal Nehru, and later all those who have been elected from Congress have also helped in the development of the district."

When the media asked about the lack of mention of Daiva religious places in the procession, Ramanath Rai said, "Wherever there are religious places in our procession, we will visit them, and Padmaraj comes from the family of Koti Chennayya."

When asked if Congress is using the fact that Padmaraj belongs to the family of Koti Chennayya, Ramanath Rai said, "He is a 12th Billava Community person who has received a ticket from this constituency, and we believe that we have selected the right candidate, and people should know about it."

Mithun Rai, Kodijal Ibrahim, Shashidhar Hegde, Padmanabha, Naveen D’Souza, Ramanand Poojary, T K Sudhir and others were present.