BANGALORE: The Congress on Monday termed the Government's action in constituting a commission of inquiry into mining activity in the State "an eyewash," and said Governor T.N. Chaturvedi should send a report to the Centre with regard to the bribery charge against Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and two Cabinet Ministers.

Addressing presspersons here, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president M. Mallikarjun Kharge said it was the moral and constitutional responsibility on the part of the Governor to act soon on the issue.

The party high command had been briefed about the allegation made by the Bharatiya Janata Party MLC G. Janardhana Reddy against the Chief Minister and also the controversy over the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project, the KPCC chief said. "We are looking to the Governor for action."

Earlier, V.S. Ugrappa, MLC and KPCC spokesperson, reiterated the party's demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into Mr. Reddy's bribery allegation and illegal mining activity in the State.

The charge that the Chief Minister, Home Minister M.P. Prakash and Mr. Chennigappa had taken a bribe of Rs. 150 crore had not been included in the terms of reference of the commission of inquiry, he said.

Prakash Rathod, KPCC general secretary and MLC, demanded the resignation of the Chief Minister for creating "constitutional chaos" in the State.

CPI(M) protest

Activists of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Monday staged a protest at Mysore Bank Circle here demanding the resignation of the Government.

Addressing the protesters, G.N. Nagaraj, secretary of the party's State unit, said the Government's image had been tarnished by the bribery charge. The CPI(M) demanded taking over mining activity from private companies or individuals and entrusting it to Government-owned public enterprises.

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