Mangaluru : The Congress election office situated in an under-construction building that is yet to get its completion certificate from the Mangaluru City Corporation. “The election office being adjacent to a wine shop also raises questions about ‘Congress culture’ and the party’s seriousness towards voters,” said South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath.

Accusing the Congress of misusing its powers to open the office in the building, Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath said it would be better if Congress leaders introspected on their shortcomings before raising questions over the sitting MP. “Congress leaders should know it is illegal to conduct any activity in a building that is yet to receive completion certificate, and they will get answers for such conduct from the electorate,” he said.

Taking umbrage at statements from a section of Congress leaders who say that MP Nalin Kumar Kateel has no achievements to show, he said they should first take into consideration the achievements of Rahul Gandhi, their leader, as an MP. “While Nalin is rated 7th best performing MP in India and 1st in the state, Rahul Gandhi is placed at the 350th position,” he said, adding against Rs 16,250 crore grants that Nalin got for his constituency, Rahul got only Rs 380 crore for Amethi.

Against 92% attendance that Nalin had in Parliament, Rahul Gandhi had only 52% attendance, he said. “Rahul Gandhi has raised zero questions in Parliament as against 687 that Nalin raised,” Kamath said. “Rather than spread canards about Nalin’s achievements, it will serve the Congress, that is staring at a heavy defeat in the coming elections, to be truthful,” he said.

“The Congress is also raising a frivolous issue over the ‘Main Bhi Chowkidar’ and ‘Namma Mane BJP Mane’ stickers, which is not in violation of the model code of conduct. While the ‘Main Bhi Chowkidar’ sticker has neither any party symbol or picture of any BJP leader, the ‘Namma Mane BJP Mane’ sticker on doors of houses in no way violates model code,” he said, adding if the authorities remove such stickers, there will be a ground swell of reaction to the same.