Date:21/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/07/21/stories/2006072104650400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Congress delegation petitions Governor to dismiss Government

Special Correspondent

Party also seeks CBI probe into MLC's allegation against Chief Minister

UP IN ARMS: The former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah (second from right), who is set to join the Congress, and Congress leaders M. Mallikarjun Kharge, N. Dharam Singh and R.V. Deshpande speaking to presspersons on the Raj Bhavan premises on Thur sday after submitting a memorandum to Governor T.N. Chaturvedi seeking the dismissal of the JD(S)-BJP coalition government in the State. — Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

BANGALORE: Encouraged by the suspended BJP MLC G. Janardhana Reddy standing by his allegation against Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, the Congress has urged Governor T.N. Chaturvedi to dismiss the coalition government.

A Congress delegation led by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president M. Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly N. Dharam Singh called on the Governor at the Raj Bhavan on Thursday and also sought a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the allegation of bribe-taking against the Chief Minister.

The former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who resigned from the Assembly on Tuesday, was also in the delegation.

Memorandum submitted

A memorandum was submitted to the Governor. It contained copies of press reports and documents relating to the bribery allegation against the Chief Minister, Minister for Forests C. Chennigappa and Home Minister M.P. Prakash.

The memorandum said, "It is clear from this prolonged sordid episode that corruption is rampant and widespread at high places in the coalition government."

Mr. Singh and Mr. Kharge told presspersons later that the delegation requested the Governor to send a report on the "grave charges of corruption" to the Centre and direct the Chief Minister to step down.

They said the Governor should direct the Government to provide protection to Mr. Reddy, whose life was in danger after he reiterated the allegation of corruption. Mr. Singh said the party would also seek the Union Home Ministry's intervention for a CBI inquiry into the allegation. A State Congress delegation would be visiting New Delhi on Saturday to meet Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil in this regard.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said the coalition government had no option but to order an inquiry as Mr. Reddy had said that he had documentary evidence to prove his charge.

The memorandum noted that Mr. Reddy first levelled the charge on July 6 in the light of allegations of extensive illegal mining of iron ore even within reserved forests in Bellary district. Prior to it, Mr. Chennigappa visited the district for an inspection of the mining areas. He sent a detailed report to the Chief Minister on March 6 in which he referred to unlawful mining. His report was supported by those from the Forest and Environment Department. Mr. Chennigappa had said the illegal mining was causing a loss of several thousand crores of rupees to the exchequer.

`MLC under pressure'

The Congress leaders alleged that after he levelled the allegation, Mr. Reddy was subjected to intensive pressure by Ministers from the JD(S) and Central and State leaders of the BJP. He then issued a statement on July 14 that, however, did not deny collection and payment of Rs. 150 crore. He only said that the money was collected in the name of the Chief Minister.

Significantly, after the Chief Minister's reply to the debate on the allegation in the Legislative Assembly on July 18, Mr. Reddy intervened in the Council on Wednesday to make a personal explanation. He made the categorical statement that the Chief Minister and members of his family, Mr. Chennigappa and Mr. Prakash had together obtained a bribe of Rs. 150 crore from Bellary mine owners to facilitate continued unlawful mining. While he was still on his feet, Ministers and members of the ruling parties shouted him down and rushed towards him to stop him from speaking further. But by then he had mentioned the core of his intended statement. That part of Mr. Reddy's statement was telecast by TV channels and was made in full view of journalists. At that juncture, the acting Chairman of the Council adjourned the House sine die abruptly at the instance of those in the Government.