MANGALORE : Even as the musical chair contest is on for the post of the MUDA
Commissioner, a similar jugglery is underway even for the post of the MUDA
Chairman.
Presently, hectic lobbying is on to dislodge the sitting MUDA chairman Dr Madhav
Bhandari, also an RSS activist, and replace him by Ulipadiguttu Rajesh Naik, a
confidante of MP Nalin Kumar Kateel. But, another group of the BJP is believed to be a
stumbling block to this effort since one year.
Reports say though Naik hails from Edapadavu, he as the managing director of
Siddeshwara Mines International at Kadoor Hogerahalli, has cheated the government
and this has come in the way of his appointment to the post. Even a case has been
lodged against him in this regard under the Karnataka Forest Conservation Act and
also that a court in Kadoor has even issued a non bailable warrant against him. The case
was registered against him by the Kadoor Forest Department for laying a 2100 meter
long road without permission and destroying trees and plants belonging to the forest
department for this purpose. A charge sheet has also been filed under the leadership of
Chikmagalur DCF Venkatesh and it has been alleged that he has destroyed forest wealth
for laying a road to facilitate illegal mining.
Already Rajesh Naik has refrained from appearing before the court and back in
Mangalore was reportedly trying to secure the MUDA chairmanship.
It is believed that Naik who also owns real estate business has a plan to promote his
business if he became the MUDA Chairman. He, it is learnt also owns around 100 acres
land near Ganjimutt.
The sitting MUDA Chairman Madhav Bhandari is facing the allegation that he had
purchased land owned by his son for developing a MUDA site and had resorted to
irregularities in the process.
Still, several in the BJP are worried over the fate of MUDA if Bhandari was replaced by a
person like Naik.
Related news: