The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Probe sought into BJP MLC's charge

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jul 08, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Probe sought into BJP MLC's charge

Staff Reporter

`It is a serious allegation made against the Chief Minister'

BANGALORE: Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council H.K. Patil has demanded an inquiry into the reported allegation levelled by a Bharatiya Janata Party member of the House, Janardhan Reddy, that Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy intimidated mine owners in Bellary district through Minister for Forests C. Chennigappa and collected Rs. 150 crore from them.

Mr. Patil told presspersons here on Friday that Mr. Reddy, who is the president of the Bellary district unit of the BJP, convened a press conference on Thursday while the legislature session was on. The allegation was serious as it questioned the integrity of the Chief Minister and the Government. Mr. Kumaraswamy had a responsibility to respond to the allegation and resign immediately, he said.

Mr. Chennigappa had countered the allegation by stating that Mr. Reddy was guilty of illegal mining. But it was surprising that the Minister had not moved against Mr. Reddy despite knowing that the latter was responsible for illegal mining.

The Congress would raise the issue in the House through an adjournment motion, Mr. Patil added.

AIPJD for judicial inquiry

Bangalore Special Correspondent writes:

All-India Progressive Janata Dal (AIPJD) MLA B.R. Patil, party working president P. Kodandaramaiah and general secretary Anjanappa Reddy have demanded a judicial inquiry into the charge levelled by Mr. Reddy.

The AIPJD leaders wrote to Governor T.N. Chaturvedi on Friday highlighting the charge levelled against Mr. Kumaraswamy and Mr. Chennigappa by Mr. Reddy. They have urged the Governor to initiate steps for a judicial inquiry by a sitting judge of the Karnataka High Court into the matter.

Mr. Patil and Mr. Kodandaramaiah told presspersons here on Friday that the Chief Minister and the Minister for Forests should resign until they were cleared of the charge.

It was a very serious allegation made by a legislator who belongs to one of the parties in the ruling coalition. The onus was on the JD(S) to prove its innocence or face the consequences, they said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka