Udupi, February 11: Udupi Block Congress President Pramod Madhwaraj on Saturday accused Udupi MLA Raghupathi Bhat of receiving Rs 10 lakhs as a kickback from the controversial Tebma Shipyard.
Speaking to media persons Pramod said that like his mentor and former chief minister BS Yedyurappa, Bhat too received the money through the Pariwar Samudaya Trust, by cheque. Producing the copies of the bank statement of both Tebma Shipyard and the Pariwar Samudaya Trust, in support of his allegations, Pramod showed the transfer of Rs 3 lakhs, Rs 3.5 lakhs and Rs 3.5 lakhs to the Trust on Feb 28, 2008, Mar 4, 2008 and Mar 7 respectively from Tebma to MLA Bhat's Trust.
As Bhat is a beneficiary of the Tebma Shipyard his protests against the Shipyard and lip sympathy to the fishermen were all an eyewash, Pramod said.
It is to be noted here that Pramod had accused Bhat of benefiting to the tune of crores of rupees from the government sponsored Rave Party as he is one of the partners in hosting the party. In return Bhat accused Pramod of withdrawing from the protest against Nagarjuna power plant half a way, as he was offered a kickback.
Replying to Bhat allegationst him, Pramod said as he was the highest taxpayer in the district with well-established enterprises in his name, he need not beg before others. As BJP is ruling the state, they were free to conduct any inquiry against him on the issue and they should not miss this opportunity to inquire, he said.
“Sadananda Gowda, as an MP opposed Nagarjuna and as the CM he is supporting it. District in-charge minister Dr VS Acharya had opposed the project when he was not in power and supported it when in ruling. Likewise MLA Raghupathi Bhat when in opposition opposed it and now supporting it. Kaup MLA Lalaji R Mendon, has been changing his stand every now and then. If all those BJP leaders take up a protest against Nagarjuna he would surely join the agitation”, Pramod challenged.
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