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Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB/JD)

Udupi, Aug 31: Former central minister Veerappa Moily has clarified that former minister Pramod Madhwaraj had contested the last Lok Sabha elections on JD(S) ticket from the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru constituency and he is not a member of the Congress party right now.

Veerappa Moily was speaking at the press conference that was held at the Congress Bhavan in the city on Saturday, August 31.

Answering the query from the media on this subject, Veerappa Moily said, "Pramod Madhwaraj is the candidate, who had got the B form of the JD(S) party in the last Lok Sabha elections. He has got the primary membership of the JD(S) party. So he is not in the Congress party now. If Pramod Madhwaraj wants to become a member of the Congress party, he has to apply once again. But so far he has not submitted any such application. There is no need to expel anyone from a party when he or she has got B Form of another political party. Their membership from the other party automatically gets cancelled."

Responding to the query on flood relief work, Moily said, "The state has seen natural calamity in the scale that was never seen or heard. More than five lac houses are completely destroyed. It seems that the Western Ghats have completely slid down from their elevation. The flood damage of this time cannot be seen as a normal destruction. So a review committee needs to be formed. The government has to undertake unique rehabilitation plan for the victims of the deluge, including the Beltangady taluk of Dakshina Kannada district. Rs 10 lac is sanctioned to the district of Kodagu as relief fund. Rs 10,000, which the government is giving at present is not at all enough."

"When the commission from the central government has come and made the survey, no more evidence is required. Central government has to work with utmost care. Though it is 22 days since the deluge is over, the CM is not able to disburse any compensation," ridiculed Veerappa Moily.

"When Karnataka was hit with severe flood in 2009, the then prime minister Manmohan Singh had given a compensation of Rs 1,06,000 crore. But the present government is not responding to the issues of the people. The government did not take any precaution before the deluge. Central and state governments have to work in unison and resolve the matter," added Veerappa Moily.

Responding to the cancellation of article 370, Moily said, "The central government has not taken the leaders of the opposition into confidence while taking any critical decisions. They have declared demonetization and cancellation of article 370 overnight without the knowledge of the opposition. In addition, serious issues like this are not being discussed in the parliament. This is not good development. This is detrimental for the democracy and progress of the country."

"An attempt is being made to keep the people far from the banks. Four nationalized banks that took birth in the coastal region are getting merged with other banks. Many branches are getting closed down. This is helping the corporate sector. In future, foreign banks will open their branches in India," said Veerappa Moily on the merger of banks.

The former central minister further said, "The economy of the country is in dire straits. GDP is going down. The coastal banking personalities are destroyed. Industrialists are closing down the businesses. There is no need to fear Modi. But his IT and ED departments are scaring people."

Congress leaders Harsha Moily, Sabhapati, M A Gafoor, Vinay Kumar Sorake, Ashok Kumar Kodavoor and Bhaskar Kidiyoor were present.