Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj on Tuesday said he has asked Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa to take action against two of his ministers, the controversial Reddy brothers, in the light of allegations levelled against them of involvement in illegal mining in Bellary.
Without taking their names, he also questioned the continuance of Tourism Minister G Janardhana Reddy and Revenue Minister G Karunakara Reddy in the government in the face of corruption charges against them.
"He (Chief Minister) is a person who realises the problem. I told him you have appointed them as ministers. Take action against them. He says I need time. He doesn't say it is not not happening," the Governor told reporters after a meeting with President Pratibha Patil.
"I have taken serious note of the issue. I have informed the Chief Minister of my concern and to the central government. ....whether they can continue as ministers and indulge in corrupt practices and make profit.
"It is whether ministers can indulge in this kind of corruption. Whether can they can continue in office and still indulge in corruption. It is a big issue of integrity and probity of those in high office. I have addressed it to the Chief Minister," the Governor said.
Raising a questions of corruption and conflict of interest, Bhardwaj said he has referred the matter to the Election Commission as it was "one of the major problems".
He was apparently referring to the issue of his reference of a disqualification petition filed by a Congress MLA against the Reddy brothers for opinion from the Commission.
Asked about the on-going disruption of the Karnataka legislature on the issue, Bhardwaj said legislature propriety was not not the question. "You cannot have corruption. Nobody can be given the license to do corruption," he said.
He parried a question whether he would recommend imposition of President's rule in the state. He said there was no no law and order problem in the state as it was peaceful.
Asked about the nexus between illegal mining in areas bordering Andhra Pradesh and in Karnataka, Bhardwaj said he was not not Governor of Andhra Pradesh.
"The Chief Minister has admitted that illegal mining has taken place," he said. He also said he had lot of respect for Karnataka Lok Ayukta Santosh Hegde but suggested he had no no powers.
"Lok Ayukta is there... no work. I have to see that the rule of law should prevail. I will send reports (to the Centre) on all issues," he said adding "this is only a controversy regarding four-five ministers who are indulging in illegal mining and making huge profits."
But to another question he suggested he had no no powers to take action against ministers.
"I am a Governor. I know my responsibilities. I will not not shirk my responsibility. I will do my duty. Whatever the people (of the state) feel I also feel.
A Congress delegation from Karnataka is likely to meet AICC president Sonia Gandhi this week to apprise her of various issues including illegal mining and corruption in the state, KPCC chief R V Deshpande said here today.
Addressing reporters after inducting former minister and JDS leader Iqbal Ansari into Congress, Deshpande said he had sought an appointment with the AICC chief on July 16 and 17 and once given, would lead the delegation to New Delhi.
The party would also submit a memorandum in this regard to Sonia Gandhi, he said.
Earlier, flaying Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa for naming him and his family in the illegal mining scam in the legislative Council yesterday, he challenged him to prove the charges and place the facts before the House.
"I give him 24 hours to do that, if he is fair and honest... If not he should tender an apology to the House and also the public for misleading them," Deshpande said.
Taking a swipe at Yeddyurappa on his "volte-face" on the mining issue, he said the Chief Minister had earlier asserted there was no illegal mining in the state, but was now "singing a totally different tune" that illegal mining is rampant.
"We welcome this statement and believe that Congress is responsible for this admission (of facts)", Deshpande said.
The Congress leader also criticised Yeddyurappa for not naming the Reddy brothers "who are involved in the scam and have been indicted by no less authority than the Supreme Court."
Deshpande claimed that his elder son Prasad who had been named by Yeddyurappa for alleged illegal mining, had only sought a mining lease for mining for value addition in Chikkanayakanahalli in Tumkur district, which has already been approved by the High Court.
"The order however is still on paper and the lease deed is still to be issued by the government. I think one should understand the difference between mining for value addition and illegal mining." PTI
