BELLARY: The BJP MLC G. Janardhana Reddy on Thursday said he would file a defamation case against Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and some of his Cabinet colleagues for stating that he had lost his mental balance.

"I stand by my statement and I charge the Chief Minister, Home Minister M.P. Prakash and Minister for Forests C. Chennigappa of taking bribe to the tune of Rs. 150 crore from mine owners in Bellary and supporting illegal activities. Let the Chief Minister order an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) instead of stating that I have lost mental balance," he told presspersons here.

Sets condition

Replying to a question, he said he would submit all the evidence he had with him related to the charge only after the Chief Minister stepped down or ordered an inquiry by the CBI. "I have accused the Chief Minister of taking bribe, and it is his responsibility to come clean instead of asking for proof," he maintained.

Stating that he was deeply concerned over growing lawlessness and criminal activities in Bellary district, especially after the boom in the iron-ore market, Mr. Reddy said he would continue his fight to end the menace.

He accused Mr. Prakash of protecting his son M.P. Ravi and Kurgodu MLA Suryanarayan Reddy who, according to the MLC, were responsible for the attack on the MSPL mines at Hospet recently and demanded that he too step down

Asked why his party had not come to his aid in his fight against corruption, Mr. Reddy merely said that all the leaders were aware that he had been telling the truth. "I had kept the party leaders informed, and our party president, Mr. Sadananda Gowda, had favoured an inquiry into the matter," he said.

On his suspension from the party, Mr. Reddy likened it to a family quarrel and expressed confidence that everything would be set right soon.

He dismissed as rumours reports stating that he was planning to join the Congress.

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