Under attack over alleged illegal mining, Karnataka Tourism Minister G Janardhana Reddy on Monday said he and his brother Revenue Minister G Karunakara Reddy would resign from the ministry if there is a "shred" of evidence against them. Addressing a press conference here, he also charged some Congress leaders with engaging in illegal mining in the state.
Refuting allegations that they were involved in illegal mining, Reddy "when we are really honest why should we resign. We won't be in this seat even for a second if there is evidence against us."
"We are 24 carat gold. Gold is gold even if you paint it with any other colour," Reddy said adding even if there was a "shred" of evidence against him that he was engaged in illegal mining he would resign. He said he was not into mining activities in Karnataka at all. "It's confined to Andhra Pradesh."
Reddy said he would resign as Minister if there is a shred of evidence against him that he is engaged in illegal mining, and added he is not into mining activities in Karnataka at all. "It's confined to Andhra Pradesh." Addressing a press conference here, he accused the state Governor H R Bhardwaj of having a "personal" agenda against him and his brother. On the Governor asking the Chief Minister to remove them from the ministry, Reddy said he (Bhardwaj) has "exceeded" his limits.
He likened the opposition, which was raising the illegal mining issue, to "devil citing the scriptures". Claiming that he was quoting from a report of Lokayukta, he detailed the extent of alleged illegal mining by the Congress leaders and their family. In this context, he named former a former state minister, two Rajya Sabha members and two other Congress leaders among others.
Asked about the "source" of the list that he gave on this mining issue, he said it's Lokayukta report. PTI
