Yeddy meets Guv; says no to CBI probe

Mangalore Today News Network

Bangalore, July 16: Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa Friday called on Governor HR Bhardwaj, who is gunning for the removal of Reddy brothers from the state ministry, and conveyed the government’s stand against a CBI inquiry into the illegal mining scam at this stage.

Yeddyurappa, accompanied by state Home Minister Dr V S Acharya and Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs S Suresh Kumar, held discussions with the governor for about 40 minutes at the Raj Bhavan.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Yeddyurappa said "It was a cordial meeting with the Governor and I explained to him the prevailing developments and the steps taken to strengthen the institution of Lokayukta".

The Governor was also informed that the illegal mining was under Lokayukta probe, he said in the backdrop of Bhardwaj meeting President Pratibha Patil and Union Home Minister P Chidambaram and raising the issue of continuance of Reddy brothers, facing charges of illegal mining, in the Ministry.

Sticking to his government stand of not referring the illegal mining issue to CBI investigation, Yeddyurappa said he had told the Governor "now it is not proper to entrust the matter to CBI probe. If we do it now, it would further delay the enquiry process."

"The Governor told me that Karnataka is one of the best administered states and the law and order situation is good compared to entire country," Yeddyurappa said.

He said during the course of his discussion, he also informed the Governor on the conduct of opposition parties which have been disrupting the proceedings in both houses of legislatures over the mining issue.

"Instead of participating in debates, the opposition parties have decided to go on padayatra, which is most unfortunate, undemocratic and unconstitutional," he said.

The governor, who has already referred to Election Commission a complaint against three Bellary ministers-cum mining magnets -- G Janardhana Reddy, G Karunakara Reddy and B Sreeramulu--seeking their disqualification as MLAs on the ground that they were holding office of profit, had virtually demanded the dismissal of these ministers.
PTI