No regrets about dropping Yeddyuprappa: Advani

www.mangaloretoday.com

Panaji, Nov 2, 2011: Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani Wednesday said he did not regret that the party had taken action against former Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, who was arrested in connection with a graft case.

"The problem in Karnataka is because the party is dealing with corruption firmly," Advani told reporters in Panaji during his anti-corruption Jan Chetna Yatra, which entered its 22nd day Wednesday.

"I do not regret anything. Whether it is the Congress or the BJP, corruption has to be handled effectively," Advani said when asked about differences in the party over the issue of Yeddyurappa, the BJP’s first chief minister in southern India, who had to resign after being accused by the Karnataka Lokayukta of corruption and nepotism.

"The moment the Lokayukta gave the report, we did not take more than a couple of hours to decide," said Advani, referring to the party’s decision to drop Yeddyurappa.

Commenting on the issue of illegal mining in Goa, Advani said the party would not treat the issue with "kid gloves".

"It is (illegal mining) a serious matter...because of illegal mining those who are doing legal mining are also affected adversely," the senior BJP leader said, adding that his party colleagues were "very active" in combating the scourge of illegal mining.