Mangaluru: The heavy flooding in Mangaluru city on May 29 raised several questions on the city’s infrastructure. However, instead of identifying the loopholes that led to such a deluge and fixing them, a blame game over who should be held responsible for the floods erupted in the political circles.
In the midst of these allegations was former Mangaluru South MLA JR Lobo who is being held responsible for the flooding in the city because of faulty development works undertaken during his term. Hitting back at his critics, Lobo asked if he could hold MP Nalin Kumar responsible for the flooding at Padil since he had inaugurated the Padil underpass as well as for that in Kottara Chowki and Pumpwell.
“Anyone with a bit of sense would know that elected MLAs/MPs can’t be held for this deluge. Elected representatives bring in funds for project implementation. Answers should be sought from technical experts and officers who implement these developmental projects”, he said while adding, “Mangaluru City has received unexpected rainfall of 24 centimeters, any city will sink for such rainfall.”
“Infrastructure Development Foundation is the technical advisor for the various projects of MCC. If lapses are found in implementation of project, let it suspend it’s engineer. IDF has provided plans for various development projects in the city. I will also write letter to Mangaluru City Corporation to re-examine various projects designed by IDF and why there are defects in various road projects? How much commission did IDF receive from Mangaluru City Corporation through various projects”, Lobo questioned.
The former MLA J R Lobo who lost in the recent state assembly elections even expressed doubts over Electronic Voting Machines (EVM).
Addressing a press meet at DCC office here on Saturday June 2, Lobo said, “We have witnessed unexpected results in the district during assembly elections. As I have doubts on EVM functioning, I have decided to file a case before the court. Already i have approached Ravindra Kamath Associates seeking legal aid on the issue. Election Commission should conduct elections in such a way that there should be no way to express doubt on election process.”
He also opined that instead of EVMs, election commission should hold election through the ballot papers.
“I will urge the court to make a provision to re-check and recount all the VVPATs of Mangaluru South Constituency used during assembly elections”, he said
