Mangaluru, July 24: Congress leader Jagdish Koyla alleged that the followers of MLA Rajesh Naik Ullapadi have involved in sand business.

Speaking to reporters at the party office here on Tuesday, he said that MLA’s followers like Praveen Alva, Nandappa Rai and Prakash Alva have been running illegal sand business. The sand and tipper lorry confiscated near Mullarapatna bridge were belonged to Praveen Alva. In order to cover-up this, the BJP leaders have been pointing towards former minister Ramanath Rai. The BJP leaders were alleging that Mullaraptna bridge was collapsed because of the illegal sand business of the followers of former minister Ramanath Rai. But people knew that who have involved in the illegal sand business. Just beside the pillar of the Mullarapatna bridge, a pipeline was laid by making dredging and the sand removed from dredging was transported illegally by Bantwala town municipal BJP councilor Govind Prabhu in his tipper lorry. In spite of this, the BJP leaders have been trying to shield their leaders and accusing others, he said.

The Congress would fight against BJP leaders who have involved in illegal sand business legally. A complaint would be lodged against Govinda Prabhu and an engineer of a company with the Mines and Geology department and Lokayukta. After the collapse of the bridge, the people were facing the problem. MLA Rajesh Naik Ulepadi should take steps solve this problem, he demanded.

ZP members Chandra Prakash Shetty and Padma Shekhar Jain, Bantwala Block Congress president Mayilappa Salian, BUDA president Sadashiva Bangera, leader Baby Kunder and others were present at the press conference



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New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday lamented that when national song Vande Mataram completed 100 years, the Constitution was "throttled" and nation chained by Emergency.

Initiating a discussion on 150 years of Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha, Modi noted that when Vande Mataram completed 50 years, India was reeling under colonialism.

"When Vande Mataram completed 50 years, country was under colonial rule while at its 100th anniversary the nation was under Emergency," he said.

The prime minister noted that the mantra of Vande Mataram gave power and inspiration to the entire country during freedom struggle

"The mantra energised and inspired India’s freedom movement and showed the path of courage and determination. Remembering that sacred Vande Mataram today is a great privilege for all of us in this House.

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"It is a matter of pride for us that we are witnessing the historic occasion of Vande Mataram completing 150 years," he said.

"When Vande Mataram completed 100 years, the nation was chained by the Emergency. At that time, the Constitution was throttled and those who lived and died for patriotism were pushed behind prison bars. The Emergency was a dark chapter in our history. Now we have the opportunity to restore the greatness of Vande Mataram. And I believe this opportunity should not be allowed to pass," Modi said.