Mangaluru: Former minister and Congress leader Ramanath Rai on Thursday said that BJP’s false propaganda led to the loss of Congress party in Dakshina Kannada.

Addressing press persons here, Rai said, “Congress lost due to BJP’s false propaganda in the recent state elections. The ministers and the state government had done good development in the district. The false rumours turned out to be negative for Congress.

“I have undertaken several development projects in Bantwal and worked sincerely. The BJP spread false rumours about me and my work. I was blamed for withdrawing grants from Kalladka schools. BJP party members submitted a letter rejecting the mid-day meal programme from the government. Both the schools have now approached the department in the end of May this year seeking to be covered under the free lunch programme of the government from the new academic year,”

BJP has held me responsible in the Sharath Madiwala murder case at BC Road. Five murders took place in my constituency. Except Sharath Madiwala, rest of the murder culprits belonged to Sangh Parivar,” Rai informed.

District Congress president Harish Kumar, MCC chief whip Shashidhar Hegde, mayor Bhaskar Moily, corporator Praveen Chandra Alva and others were present.