The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Congress demands judicial probe into Kheny’s charge

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Friday, Sep 28, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Congress demands judicial probe into Kheny’s charge

Special Correspondent

Kheny has alleged that the Deve Gowda family has amassed wealth illegally

Inquiry should be by a Supreme Court judge: Kharge
KPCC to submit memorandum to Governor

M. Mallikarjun Kharge

BANGALORE: The Congress on Thursday demanded an inquiry by a Supreme Court judge into the allegations of Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) that the family of the former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, including Chief Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy, had amassed huge wealth disproportionate to their known sources of income.

Addressing presspersons here on Thursday, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president M. Mallikarjun Kharge said the party would submit a memorandum in this regard to Governor Rameshwar Thakur in which it would also explain how the law and order situation in the State had deteriorated with the Chief Minister himself facing charges of murder plot from his own Cabinet colleague. Mr. Kharge wondered why the Chief Minister had not initiated any legal action against Ashok Kheny, managing director of NICE, if his allegations were false.

Mr. Kharge alleged that “jungle raj” prevailed in Karnataka, and there was fear of the State becoming another Bihar. “The Chief Minister says his coalition partner is trying to sully his image by charging him with murder plot. A Cabinet Minister falls at the feet of a police officer seeking protection. If the Chief Minister and Cabinet Minister do not have security, what about the safety of common man in the State?”

Mr. Kharge further alleged that the State Government had violated the model code of conduct by announcing various development schemes at Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting. This included appointment of part-time lecturers and sanction of new sugar factories. The Congress would not only bring the issue to the notice of the Governor, but also lodge a complaint in this regard with the State Election Commission, he said. He charged the JD(S)-BJP Government with announcing development schemes without making financial allocations for them. Such announcements were being made for publicity. The ruling combine was pushing the State towards financial bankruptcy by taking up populist schemes instead of those that would help the State’s development, he said.

Mr. Kharge welcomed the appointment of party MP Rahul Gandhi as AICC general secretary and said it would boost the confidence of the party organisation.

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