Mangaluru : Congress man  Harikrishna Bantwal has invited DK District in-charge minister Ramanath Rai swear by Lord Manjunatha and Annappa Swamy at Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swamy temple if not use verbally abusing senior Congress leader B Janardhan Poojary.

Speaking at Press Club Mangalore on Tuesday, Harikrishna said, Rai used foul language against Janardhan Poojary and now he denying the fact and calling it a rumour. As witnessing for this Harikrishna played an audio clip wherein Congress member Arun Coelho states that Rai had abused Poojary in his presence.

He also said, this is not a civil case. It is a criminal offence and Rai can be booked under IPC 506.”

I will give one week’s time to B Ramanath Rai to prove himself. If he is right, let him swear by Lord Manjunatha and Annappa Swamy at Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swamy temple, he said.