Former legislator Raghupathi Bhat has alleged that District In-charge Minister Pramod Madhwaraj is delaying the construction of the Malpe-Padukere bridge work purely for political reasons. Speaking to reporters in town, the BJP leader said that the minister is repeatedly lying and is into the propaganda tactics by stating that the funds for the bridge was released during his tenure. However the BJP-led state government had released Rs 13.5 crore. Bhat challenged the minister to take the credit for the works, but sincerely work for the purpose.

Fund release
The former MLA added that the proposed work had been scheduled to get over in 2015, however, the work was halted owing to delay in releasing of remaining funds. The minister is into publicity gimmicks and is least bothered about the work. The administration owes nearly Rs three crore for the company, which is in charge of the construction. There is work pending for another seven days – if the funds are released, the work will get over.

The minister had assured to get the work done within 45 days, Bhat said, and added that there seemed to be no signs of completion of work even after 55 days following the assurances. Madhwaraj wants to inaugurate the new bridge when the election approaches, so that he can easily win the confidence of the people in the region. Bhat threatened that if the construction work is not completed within few days from now, the district BJP members would take up stringent protest demanding the completion of work.