Mangaluru: Ramanath Rai has demanded an apology from MP Nalin Kumar Kateel for his comments on senior Congress leader Veerappa Moily over the issue of Vijaya Bank merger.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday Mr Rai said, “Without any reason Nalin Kumar Kateel dragged Veerappa Moily’s name into the Vijaya bank merger issue. It shows how poor our MP is in studying government documents and learning about cabinet decisions. Now Veerappa Moily has issued a notice to the MP seeking public apology. I also demand the same and request the MP to not give false statements without knowing the facts.”

“Veerappa Moily had a major share in developing our district. He was the first chief minister from our district. He brought many developmental projects to the district and whenever he got space in ministerial berth, he brought maximum funds to the district for various projects. People still remember him for his special interest on our district,” Rai pointed out.

Slamming Nalin for his recent comment on Padayatra which was organized by the Congress, Mr Rai said, “Nalin Kumar made mockery of our Padayatra stating that ‘Congress leaders were walking to reduce extra fat and it was the Padayatra of defeated people.’ But the people of district know who has to walk to get rid of fat. They know very well who is getting air tickets from central government, traveling in government car, and wasting his time in government bungalow. Everyone is blaming the MP, who is enjoying his life by doing nothing for the district.”

“Now after our Padayatra, he suddenly woke up and has given a memorandum to Nithin Gadkari, the union minister. It shows his weakness and helplessness in his own government. He does not have capacity to get the road work connecting between Bengaluru and Mangaluru done,” Rai added.