I have Courage to File Criminal Case against those defaming me – Lobo on KUDCEMP Project
Mangaluru: “From many days I have noticed that a candidate for Mangaluru South Constituency and a BJP supporter are trying to defame me through the social media, TV channel and newspaper. I am not involved in any fraud in KUDCEMP. Without knowing the reality, baseless allegations are being put on me. I have moved the court and brought a stay order against broadcasting false news against me. I have the courage to file a defamation as well as a criminal case against those who indulge in defaming me. If they have proof let them go to the court and file a case against me, or else let them give it to the Lokayukta. Last time when I was contesting the elections for the first time, attempts were made to defame me but failed. I request the media to clarify any such issues before publishing or telecasting”, said the candidate for the Mangaluru South Constituency J R Lobo in a press meet held at the DCC office Mallikatta here on April 28.
Addressing the mediapersons Lobo said, “When the elections are nearing, it is common for the opposition to hire anyone and defame good candidates. Those who have put the allegations on me do not have proper knowledge about what they speak. I left the KUDCEMP project 9 years ago and I was not connected to it. I was just reviewing the project when I was the director. The project was implemented by the MCC in 2003, five months before I joined as the director of KUDCEMP, the government had implemented the project and given it to the MCC. But now after a gap of 9 years, why are they blaming me? I had resigned in 2009 and the allegations that they speak of happened in 2011. Why are they holding me responsible? After almost three years after I had retired from the post and project, why are these people blaming me?”
Lobo further said, “If I was involved in any scam, the government would have taken action against me. Those who are putting false allegations on me, let them produce the documents and prove their allegations. If they have proof of me being involved in the scam, let them file a case against me or give the case to the Lokayukta. Instead of doing so, Hanumanth Kamath and Mangluru South Candidate Sunil Kumar Bajal are using the social media and a TV channel to defame me now during the time of elections. What they are doing is a cowardly act because, from the past five years, I have done a lot of development work which they are not able to tolerate and so have indulged in defaming me instead. What they are doing is mental murder and I will take action against those who are involved in this. I have already obtained an injection order against the TV Channel from telecasting baseless allegations. If today we are getting drinking water it is because of ADB Phase 1 project and the Indian government had appreciated the KUDCEMP project.”
Lobo also said, “The allegations and what the opposition has been blaming is that there was a problem in ADB in Suratkal area and implemented in 2011 during which the BJP was in power. I had resigned in 2009 but the project was executed in 2011, 2012 and 2013 when the BJP was in power. According to the government order for the entire Mangaluru project, the MCC commissioner was the Deputy Project Director (DPD), when he was given the power and responsibility, without understanding the details how can they blame me. These people have lack of knowledge and they blame me as they like. Sunil Kumar is the candidate and Hanumanth Kamath is the so-called BJP leader. Both without any evidence are putting false allegations which is violation of the model code of conduct and I will consult the concerned authorities in this regard. My intention is good and I know what I am. The officers who have worked with me know what kind of person I am. I had 400 engineers and 80 contractors working under me, even many national and international consultants were working in my office let anyone point a finger at me and say that I am corrupt, I am ready for any punishment. In the beginning I thought that it is a small issue but both Hanumanth Kamath and Sunil Kumar Bajal are using the social media and sharing the telecasted news which is not less than a mental murder. They are trying to mentally murder me by putting baseless allegations during the time of elections. I challenge the opposition to come and debate on development issues and not to defame me by bringing the issue for which I am not related. I have many things to tell about opposition but I will not. This a mental murder and they have the habit of doing it. I was the government officer for 35 years and till day people respect me wherever I go. I am ready for any investigation, but without any proof putting baseless allegations is not good for their reputation. My hands are clean and my intention is also clean. We follow the fair trial while giving the death sentence, but sometimes media is pronouncing death sentence without giving the opportunity to the other side which is pathetic and it is not fair in Journalism. Before telecasting in their TV they would have clarified with me. Media cannot give the sentence but they telecast or publish the real facts. The TV channel which has telecasted the above news is shameful for Journalism. I request the media to clarify any doubts they have before publishing or broadcasting such news. The allegations levelled on me by the opposition about KUDCEMP are false, baseless and far from truth”.
When asked about BJP leaders going Lobo’s constituency and asking for votes on the basis of Hindutva, Lobo said, “I do not want to react on it, If it is against the Model Code of Conduct, the concerned authorities will take action. But the model code of conduct says that any candidate or his party should not ask for votes in the name of religion etc. If anyone asks votes in the name of Hindutva the election commission will take action.”
When asked about who was responsible for the KUDCEMP project executed in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Lobo said, “Let the concerned persons find it out. But at that time the BJP was in power in the state as well as the MCC. The project was executed during the BJP rule.”
District Youth Congress President Mithun Rai, Former Mayor Mahabala Marla, Mayor Bhaskar K, Vinayraj, Kallige Taranath Shetty and others were also present.
