Mangaluru: A day after MP Nalin Kateel fired fresh salvo against Congress candidate from Mangaluru South JR Lobo accusing him of misleading the voters, former mayor Mahabala Marla, on Friday, May 4, retaliated by calling Nalin Kumar a weak politican.

Addressing a press meet at MLA JR Lobo’s election office, Mahabala Marla said, “Nalin Kumar Kateel has failed to complete the long pending works of Pumpwell flyover. Being an MP, Nalin Kumar has not taken any initiative to put an end to the traffic inconvenience at KPT Circle and Nanthoor Junction by building a flyover. Nalin Kumar Kateel has failed to release funds for the extension of runway in Mangaluru International Airport. When UPA government was in power he sanctioned funds for the development of Kulai jetty. Former minister Oscar Fernandes had sanctioned grant for four laning of Mangaluru-Hasana road, but MP Nalin Kumar Kateel has completely failed in continuing the implementation of the project.”

He challenged Nalin Kumar to come for a debate on development rather than indulge in politics of religion, caste and cattle. “Nalin has proclaimed himself as numero uno MP but his contribution towards development of Mangaluru City is nil. He has no vision for development,” he added.

“Under the smart city programme the union government has sanctioned Rs 107.5 crore, even the state government has sanctioned Rs 107.5 crore. But the MP is misleading the people with lies. Already the tender has been allotted for the 7 projects in the city to tune of Rs 107.5 crore,” he said.

The projects include – Hampankatte old bus stand multilevel car parking of Rs 94 crore, City Commend Control Center 40 crores, installation of roof top solar on the government building Rs 10 crore, for the construction of 45 smart bus stands Rs 8 crore, for the development of AB Shetty circle and clock tower smart road Rs 7.5 crore, under ground drainage work Rs 4 crore and construction of clock tower Rs 90 lakhs.