Mangalore: Minister U T Khadar denies diverting temple land alleged by BJP

Pics by John V Tauro
Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, 27 Mar 2014: The state health and family welfare minister U T Khadar on Thursday March 27 denied allegations of using his clout to divert temple land to a trust managed by his brother and claimed that BJP was indulging in spreading rumours.

 

The minister U T Khader was referring to allegations that he had misused his position to get Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to divert a site belonging to Kukke Subramanya Temple to U T Nasima Fareed Memorial Charitable Trust run by his brother.

 

Addressing media persons at a conference held at Woodland Hotel, here on Thursday March 27, U T Khadar said, ‘BJP candidate and MP Nalin Kumar Kateel has nothing to say about his past or future, so BJP is spreading rumours that I am involved in diverting temple land to a trust managed by my brother,’ said Khader.

 

Khader explained, ‘BDA had issued a notification in a newspaper in 2012-2013 for civic amenity site for which my brother had applied. The site was reserved solely under the category of mentally and physically challenged institution, hence my brother got this site as he is running an institute for the differently-abled which was established in the year 2004 in the name of U T Nasima Fareed Memorial Charitable Trust.

 

The Temple trust had also applied for the same land to build an information centre, but as this site was reserved for institutes for the differently-abled, the Temple did not qualify. Hence BDA chairperson Shyam Bhat and a 3-member Committee comprising IAS officers hand over the land to my brother,’ said Khader.

 

‘Altogether 7 persons had applied for the site, but 6 of them did not suit the category, under which it was reserved,’ said Khader.

 

‘I have no connection with the Institution. I have never made a single phone call or recommendation in its favour. The site was not allotted to anyone except my brother. Also, everyone who applied for the site had to deposit Rs 39,958 which was later returned,’ said Khader, adding that if the Temple trust had applied for the site for a social cause, it would have got it.

 

‘If anyone still wants to file a complaint, I am ready for any inquiry as per law,’ said Khader.

 

 

Leveling counter-allegations, Khader said, ‘I am not as clever as Nalin Kumar Kateel or Jayaram Shetty. Though I have been MLA thrice, I have not acquired any site in Bangalore. Nalin Kumar was successful in getting a BDA site within 3 months after he became the MP. I feel ashamed of our MP as without any correct information he and BJP are spreading rumours about me. I strongly condemn such attitude,’ said Khader.

 

Khadar further added, ‘I have told my family members that if the site really belongs to the temple, it should be given back or I will severe ties them,’ said Khader.

 

Congress leader Ivan D’Souza said it was a serious issue and a political strategy by the BJP to defame Khadar. ‘BJP is trying to gain political mileage in playing with religious sentiments to garner votes. We will complain to the Election Commission,’ said D’Souza.

 

Sadashiv Ullal, Eshwar Ulla, Praveenchandra Alva and Mithun Rai were present at the media conference.