If I have taken a Rupee from Gulzar, Allah will not allow me to Reach Home – Moideen Bava
Mangaluru: “The MCC elections are nearing and the Congress leaders along with the observers had discussed and finalized the tickets to the candidates. From ward number 1 to 23, the names of 60 aspirants were given to the party leaders as well as the observers. After discussions, the party finalized the names of the candidates. On October 30, DCC president had called for a press meet at Hotel Ocean Pearl to announce the final list of the candidates. After the meeting, while I was coming out of the hotel, Gulzar Banu, her son and maybe her driver followed me and Gulzar Banu’s son slapped me but I did not react. When I was walking further they hit my PA. Another guy lifted the no parking stand and came to hit me but was stopped. I did not file any complaint, instead, I followed Gandhiji’s principles. Some media published that I have taken Rs 10 lakh from Gulzar Banu and not given her the ticket. If I have taken a Rupee from Gulzar and today being Friday, Allah will not allow me to reach home”, said former MLA Moideen Bava in a press meet held at the DCC office here on November 1.
Addressing the mediapersons Moideen Bava said, “The Congress party has three times given the ticket to Gulzar Banu. She had won the elections twice and also became the Mayor. When there was an opportunity for a general candidate, Gulzar Banu was given the ticket but at that time the people of the ward opposed her and demanded that the ticket be given to a male candidate. When the aspirant did not get the ticket from the Congress, the same candidate contested from SDPI. Unfortunately, Gulzar Banu was defeated by the SDPI candidate”.
Moideen Bava further said, “In my constituency, I had got the highest lead with 2008 votes from the Chokkabettu ward. Later Mithun Rai contested as MP candidate and he too got the highest lead from the Chokkabettu ward. Recently during the announcement of the candidates’ list, I did not recommend anyone. But the Congress leaders discussed with the booth-level leaders and finalized the names. I have done a lot of development work but I don’t know why people did not support me for that. During the tenure of the Congress, the South and North constituencies got the highest funds for development work but people did not support us. The opposition party tried to create communal tension. Two murders also took place during the elections and the police arrested the accused and brought the situation under control. There are many aspirants who want to contest the local body elections and our party wants to give the opportunity to everyone. This time the party has given the ticket to a well-educated candidate who is the daughter of former MLA. The party has selected the candidates in a fair process.”
Moideen Bava also said, “I was shocked to read the news about the allegation that I have taken Rs 10 lakhs from Gulzar Banu. Some media published that Gulzar Banu’s associates assaulted Moideen Bava. But in reality, Gulzar Banu’s son had slapped me. I did not take any action nor have I filed any case. When I reached home, party workers gathered in front of my house. Throughout the night I suffered severe pain in my ear and on October 31, I got admitted to the hospital. But my PA had filed a complaint in regard to the attack. On October 31, the police came to see me in the hospital and questioned about what had happened and they filed a case. MLA Vedavyas Kamath had also called me and asked me to withdraw the case. I had also seen the scrolling in a TV channel mentioning that I took Rs 10 Lakh from Gulzar Banu and not give her the ticket. Even while I contested the Assembly elections I did not take any money from my party or anyone else. I had spent my own money to contest the elections. The media should not jump into conclusions without knowing the truth. Such news causes harm to our reputation, people had called to clarify about it. I have done a lot of development work and in my five years of tenure I managed to get funds of Rs 70 crore for the market in Suratkal which is the first time in the state that the government has sanctioned this amount of funds.”
Congress leaders Sadashiva Shetty, Nithyananda and others were also present.