Upset over vicious campaign, Ramanatha Rai offers prayers at Polali shrine

Upset over vicious campaign, Ramanatha Rai offers prayers at Polali shrine

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, June 15, 2018:  Former minister B Ramanatha Rai who  is deeply hurt over alleged malicious propaganda  by right wing activists over the Kodimara  of the Polali Sri Rajarajeshwari Temple, visited the shrine on June 15, Friday and offered prayers to the Goddess.

Here it may be recalled here that  a valuable tree belonging to the Forest Department at Sampaje was felled for the  Kodimara or the Dhwaja Sthambha in front of the temple  during the renovation of the shrine, when Ramanatha Rai was the Forest Minister. The  Forest Department  had even levied a fee of Rs 21 lakh towards the tree. However, the Hindu outfits had opposed the same and had allegedly resorted to malicious propaganda  regarding  this as Rai was also the Honorary President of the temple committee then.

Rai was  in tears as he prayed before the Goddess and pleaded that he was not guilty.

Several confidantes of the former minister were present on this occasion.

It may be mentioned here that Rai had recently been to the  Kanattur Daivasthana following allegations of involvement in Sharath Madiwala murder case.