The district Congress has clarified that there is no question of district in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj joining BJP or the former MLA Raghupathy Bhat joining the Congress.

Speaking to reporters the newly elect district Congress president Janardhan Thonse said that the district in-charge minister will remain in Congress and the rumours otherwise, are baseless.

He added that Madhwaraj's attending to the BJP Union minister or skipping the Tipu Sultan Jayanti celebrations does not mean that Madhwaraj is inclined towards defecting to BJP.

Similarly, there is no question of the Congress welcoming Raghupathy Bhat, 'who is already tainted with several allegations', the release clarified.

Stating that the district in-charge minister has made a whopping contribution in terms of development, Thonse said the district in-charge minister has maintained remained transparent.

Madhwaraj has organised Jana Samparka Sabhe in all wards. "His clean administration has indeed brought him closer to the masses. He is responsible for the Rs 1800 crore worth works taken up in Udupi assembly constituency," the release states.

Congress also condemned Raghupathy Bhat's allegations that charity done by Madhwaraj is a publicity and election gimmick, he added.