Udupi: Former Minister and Congress leader Pramod Madhwaraj, who was defeated in the Assembly elections, said on Saturday that the “misleading propaganda” and lies spread by the BJP about him caused his defeat.

Addressing workers of the Udupi Block Congress Committee at the Congress Bhavan here, he said his defeat was unexpected as he had taken up many development works in Udupi Assembly constituency. “But the people believed the misleading propaganda of the BJP,” he said.

“When they realise the truth, they will turn against the BJP and back the Congress. I will visit government offices and help people whose work is getting delayed. I will continue my services to the people,” Mr. Madhwaraj added.

He said he would support the newly elected Udupi MLA K. Raghupati Bhat whenever he does good work, but would oppose any measures that are against the people. “Mr. Bhat has promised to resolve the sand extraction issue within a month. If he fails in the implementation of the project of getting water from Varahi river to Udupi city, I will protest against it,” he said.

Mr. Madhwaraj said that when he was the district in-charge Minister, he did not allow Congress workers to attack their BJP counterparts. But now, there are instances of BJP workers attacking Congress workers, he said, adding that if this does not stop, he would stage a dharna in front of police stations