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Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Feb 19: Former MLA, J R Lobo, denied allegations made by Member of Parliament Nalin Kumar Kateel and challenged him to prove it with records or by vow in front of deity whom he believes.

Lobo was speaking in a press meet held here on Tuesday, February 19.

J R Lobo said, "At a programme held at Kotekar, Nalin Kumar Kateel, our Member of Parliament alleged that J R Lobo and U T Khader, the then local MLAs, were the main reason for delay of the Pumpwell and Thokkottu Flyover works. He alleged that, to woo our communities, we put pressure to change the alignment of the project and it caused delay in work. At the same time, Nalin also alleged that U T Khader is inaugurating the union government projects and trying to put in his account. But I challenge the MP to prove his allegations with records and if not he should be ready to take a vow in front the deity whom he believes. I or U T Khader never did any changes to the alignment of flyovers and the MP never invited us to any of the meetings on the project. I am ready to swear this in front of deity,"

"Normally I keep myself away from individual criticism. But the baseless and false allegations made by Nalin Kumar Kateel compelled me to expose his statements, false propaganda and failure as an MP. Day by day our MP is struggling to defend himself because he did nothing for the district in his ten-year term. He declared that the Pumpwell and Thokkottu flyovers will be inaugurated at the end of February. Only a few days are left in the month of February. I did not receive any invitation till now. Hope MP is busy with inaugural arrangements or plans to inaugurate without the knowledge of anyone. I do not have any regrets because it is very important for the flyover to open for the public by the end of this month," stated Lobo. 

Lobo further said, "I want to tell our MP to stop spreading false information to hide his failures and he should concentrate on his work. I am talking based on the records and proofs. So it is my challenge to him that he should tell how many meetings he has conducted in the past ten years regarding flyovers and how many times he has invited the local MLAs. He should also show on what basis the local MLAs interfered in the project. If he cannot do this, then he should tender a public apology and accept his failure," 

"In his last ten year term he has only concentrated on setting fire to the district. In his term, our airport and sea are sold to private parties. No progress in widening highways at KPT and Bikarnakatte. Pumpwell and Thokkottu flyovers are still hanging without any progress. Highway work between Bengaluru-Mangaluru is stuck in files only. Highway project between Mangaluru – Moodbidri is not yet started . He never took any initiative for Shiradi-Sakleshpur tunnel. The upgradation of Mangaluru railway station is limited to only an assurance. There is no progress in Coast Guard Academy for the district. No IT companies and IITs have came to the district during his tenure. We had a coconut research center at Pudu Village. It is also shifted to Hyderabad. By this, we can guess he is a big failure and he is number one MP from the last of the list of 545 Lok Sabha Members. He is only fit to set fire and spread communal hatred," added Lobo.

Replying the allegations on U T Khader, Lobo said, "Being a representative of people U T Khader is inaugurating the union projects. There is nothing wrong in that. At the same time, the seven MLAs of BJP are also inaugurating and laying foundations for the projects of state government. If Nalin cannot stand U T Khader's presence in the inauguration ceremony of union government projects programmes, then he should prevent his party MLAs from inaugurating the works of state government. If he continues to pull my legs, I will not sit quiet and I will expose him with the help of records. I am not doing politics in the name of community, religion or with an agenda of winning elections."