The Hindu : Yediyurappa demands dismissal of Baig

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 30, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

Yediyurappa demands dismissal of Baig

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore April 29. The BJP leader, B.S.Yediyurappa, today demanded that the Minister for Small-scale Industries, Roshan Baig, should be dropped from the Cabinet and told to face an inquiry in the multi-crore stamp paper racket.

Reacting to reports of the interrogation of Rehan Baig in connection with the racket, Mr. Yediyurappa said an impartial inquiry would not be possible if his brother continued in the Ministry. Dr. Rehan Baig should be arrested and his passport seized, Mr. Yediyurappa demanded.

Addressing a press conference with Ramachandra Gowda, MLC, Mr. Yediyurappa alleged that Dr. Baig had been released after questioning because of pressure on the police, and the Chief Minister knew about it. The Chief Minister was protecting such elements to save his own chair, he said.

Referring to the taped statement of Karim Lala, the kingpin behind the racket, to the then Commissioner of Police, Bangalore, H.T.Sangliana, about the support he had from top officials and senior ministers, Mr. Yediyurappa wanted the Chief Minister to verify it. Complaining of irregularities in the issuance of yellow cards, Mr. Yediyurappa said lakhs of families living below the poverty line, particularly those living in slums, had been denied cards, which served as identify cards apart from enabling them to get foodgrains at cheaper rates. Mr. Yediyurappa complained that the cash component under the drought relief work was not being paid to agricultural labourers. In certain areas, machinery was used for removing silt from tanks, denying work to farmers and diverting funds.

Baig refuses comment

Meanwhile, Mr. Roshan Baig refused to react to the demand of Mr. Yediyurappa. When his reaction was sought by presspersons to the demand, he said: "Let me see what Mr. Yediyurappa has said." When the demand was mentioned, he curtly remarked: "Why should I reply to it as it is a personal matter?"

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