Mangaluru: Former MLA J R Lobo refuted allegations particular from the opposition party, for claiming that ‘faulty’ development works during his tenure resulted in heavy flooding in the city on May 29th.

On Saturday June 2nd, he addressed a press meet here and said, “The heavy rainfall that lashed Mangaluru flooded most parts of the city. But the opposition highlighted ‘faulty’ development works in the city and criticized me, branding me as the sole reason for the flooding in Mangaluru. How can I be responsible for the flooding when there is 24 cm of heavy rainfall? Not just Mangaluru, any city would have flooded with that amount of rainfall.”

“We (MLAs) are the ones who bring funds for development works. There are technical committees, consultants and engineers to execute the plans. I am deeply hurt by the criticism of opposition members who have no technical knowledge about development works,” he refuted.

“Places like Pumpwell, Kottara Chowki, Bajal and Padil underpass were waterlogged after the heavy rainfall. Did I criticise MP Nalin Kumar Kateel for it? How can he be responsible for the flooding just because he inaugurated Bajal- Padil underpass? Is he a member of technical committee? It is wrong to blame the MP for water logging in these areas.

Technical committees, engineers, and consultants should take responsibility for this and they are the sole reason for the flooding in the city as they are the ones who design and execute the plans.”

“When there is faulty development work on the part of the central government, the MP is not blamed, but when there is fault in the city, MLAs are criticised. Opposition has not even minimum knowledge about the process of development works. I will write a letter to Mangaluru City Corporation against the Infrastructure Development Foundation (IDF) to take stringent action and suspend the consultant.

IDF is the technical advisor as it has designed the development works in the city. I urge the opposition to have at least minimum knowledge on how the government and the MCC functions,” Lobo said.

J.R.Lobo raised suspicion over the electronic voter machines (EVMs) that were used in the recent assembly elections.

“The recently concluded elections have raised eyebrows because of the unexpected result in the coastal belt. I am not satisfied and I suspect the EVMs. I will go to court through my lawyer from Bengaluru. People are raising voices to bring back the ballot paper system in elections.

Election should be held in such a way that everyone should be cent percent satisfied. I will approach the court against it and submit my protest letter. Let us see what the court decides on it,” he added.