HUBLI: General manager of South Western Railway Trilok Nath Perti found himself in an embarrassing situation here on Sunday when MP for Dharwad South Manjunath Kunnur attacked him in front of Union Minister of State of Railways R. Velu.

The incident occurred at the press meet of the Union Minister, who earlier laid the foundation stone for the new Hubli Railway Station Complex.

A visibly upset Mr. Kunnur, who was not invited by the Railway authorities for the function, vented his ire against Mr. Perti and other senior Railway officials over the treatment meted out to elected representatives by them.

Protest

To register his protest, Mr. Kunnur did not participate in the foundation laying ceremony.

The MP told press persons that he had come to submit a memorandum to the Minister on the demands of people of his constituency, such as construction of a railway overbridge at Haveri.

Prior to the press meet, the MP launched a tirade against the general manager and his style of functioning, and alleged that Mr. Perti had not cared to respond to his letters seeking information on several issues.

Demands

He alleged that the Railway officials had scant regard for elected representatives and that genuine demands were not being properly looked into.

As the Minister entered the pandal where the press meet had been arranged, he greeted the MP on seeing him and requested him to come to the podium.

The gesture of the Minister made the MP angry as Mr. Perti chose to remain unconcerned, resulting in Mr. Kunnur attacking the general manager.

After the press meet, the MP went to the podium and handed over the memorandum to the Minister.

The MP told Mr. Velu said although he had spoken to the general manager on the demands, he was only raising technical issues and was not ready to see how the problem could be tackled.

There was a railway underbridge at Haveri, but during monsoon there was water logging, causing hardships to people. He requested the Minister to sanction an overbridge for Haveri.

Funds

Mr. Kunnur said the project could be taken up on a cost-sharing basis and that he was willing to release money from his MP's fund.

Mr. Velu directed the general manager to send a technical team to study the matter and take action based on its report.

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