Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal,Jul 13: After a long delay, Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister, B Ramanath Rai, met the family of Sharath, owner of Udaya Laundry at B C Road and  activist of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, all of a sudden on Wednesday July 12. There had been widespread criticism of Rai from various quarters for failing to  console the family of Sharath, although Rai happens to be a customer of the said laundry since many years.

After the minister arrived at his home, Sharath's father, Taniappa Madiwala, who was in the farm, returned home, got seated in a chair in his courtyard and talked to the minister.  Rai  expressed regret for the delayed visit, claiming that he was bogged down due to busy schedule. He was there for five minutes. He  promised Taniappa  of trying to provide relief if any from the government. He looked at Sharath's mother from the window before going back.

The minister was accompanied by zilla panchayat member, Chandraprakash Shetty, B Padmashekhar Jain, and others. Local panchayat member, Praveen Gatti, said that policemen stopped locals and other activists fro venturing near Sharath's house during the minister's visit.

Taniappa said he did not have advance information about Rai's visit and as such he was not at home when Rai came.