Mohan Kuthar

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Oct 8: BJP’s Mangaluru mandal general secretary and advocate Mohan Raj K R lacks experience and seems to have lost his senses, said MUDA chairman Sadashiva Ullal. He stated that it was inappropriate to level baseless allegations against Ullal MLA and legislative assembly speaker U T Khader, who is widely appreciated across all wards of Ullal.

Addressing a press meet held at Ullal Press Club in Thokkottu, Sadashiva Ullal said that due to the mischief of a few unruly youths, the idol of Goddess Sharada was left on the roadside during the Sharadotsava. Speaker Khader had immediately responded to the incident, and the police commissioner himself issued a public apology through the media.

He said that following the controversy during the Sharadotsava celebrations, a joint meeting of the Ullal Sharadotsava Committee and the police department was held to resolve the issue. “Speaker Khader had instructed Congress Hindu leaders to meet at the block office and take a decision. He also promptly held discussions with the police commissioner. It was due to the behaviour of a few miscreants that the idol was left by the roadside. But BJP leaders held a press meet and tried to politicize the issue, demanding action,” he said.

“Khader, both as an MLA and as the speaker, took all necessary steps immediately. Even the police commissioner issued an apology on behalf of his officers. People across all wards of Ullal have praised Khader for his developmental works. In such a situation, Mohan Raj’s remarks only reflect his confused state of mind,” he added sarcastically.

Block Congress president Ramesh Shetty Boliyar said that the Ullal Dasara has been celebrated for 78 years with participation from all communities, without political interference. “This year, the organizers had permission to continue till 1 am. The police only restricted the sound levels, but a few goonda elements obstructed police duty using that as an excuse. If the organizers felt wronged, they should have filed a complaint with the commissioner, which they haven’t done till now,” he said.

Mandal vice president Dinesh Rai said that BJP leaders have been politicizing every issue by blaming Congress for everything. “Following the Sharada festival incident, a Congress delegation met Ullal police officials to ensure that no injustice was done to the Hindu community,” he added.

Also present at the press meet were Someshwar town municipal councillor and Kisan unit president Purushottam Shetty Pilar, Ullal city Congress president Amita Ashwini, backward classes president Vivekananda Sanil, and Mansoor Thokkottu.