The Hindu : Karnataka News : Allegations are politically motivated: Somanna

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Karnataka

Karnataka

Allegations are politically motivated: Somanna

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided not to jump the guns with respect to the alleged episode of its leader and Housing Minister V. Somanna's sons indulging in illegal mining. “Instead, the party will wait for the Lokayukta, who is probing into the allegations, to complete his inquiry,” sources in the party said.

Interestingly, the allegations have not come as a surprise to the party as speculations in this regard were doing the rounds from some time now. However, a party leader admitted that it is these kinds of episodes which had caused concern.

When The Hindu contacted Mr. Somanna, he clarified that he had no connection with Matha Minerals and described the allegations as politically motivated by his detractors. “Some vested interests were trying to tarnish my image,” he noted.

Admitting that his sons B.S. Naveen and B.S. Arun had 15 and 8 per cent shares in the company, he said that the company had become defunct in 2009 because of internal bickering.

“The Deputy Director of Mines and Geology, Tumkur district, admits that the company ceased its operation in 2009 and I don't know what made the official concerned to send a notice asking the company pay penalty,” Mr. Somanna said.

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