BJP MLA Sanjay Patil protests against Laxmi Hebbalkar's development' claims

Belagavi: State Mahila Congress president Laxmi Hebbalkar and Belagavi Rural MLA Sanjay Patil are at loggerheads over the ongoing development works in Belagavi Rural constituency. Protesting against the claims being made by Ms Hebbalkar that she was the one who got funds released from the government for works in the constituency, Patil staged a dharna along with his supporters and BJP activists here on Thursday. The MLA has also objected to the intervention of Ministers D.K. Shivakumar and Ramesh Jarkiholi in the works taken up in his constituency and questioned why Shivakumar toured Belagavi Rural constituency when the recent winter session of the legislature was in progress. He should focus on work being taken up in all constituencies in the state rather than meddle in works taken up in Belagavi Rural, Patil said.

Ms Hebbalkar was unaware of the guidelines followed by the government prior to taking up works, he said adding that a committee headed by the district minister finalises the works in every constituency and not party leaders. The MLA charged that the Congress leader had got advertisements published in newspapers claiming credit for the works taken up in his constituency.

Housing Minister Krishnappa recently issued a letter to the media that about 550 houses for the houseless poor were allotted in Belagavi in response to the demand made by Ms Hebbalkar. After she lost the election from the same constituency, Ms Hebbalkar is again aspiring to contest on Congress ticket.

However, Ms Hebbalkar rubbished the allegations and said the MLA was in deep slumber throughout his last nine years as an elected representative.