Yeddyurappa gives clean chit to Reddy brothers

Bangalore, May 31: Refuting reports that BJP was distancing itself from the Reddy brothers on the illegal mining issue, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Tuesday, June 1 gave them a clean chit, denying their involvement in the matter.

"It is not correct to say that they are involved in illegal mining. There is no truth in it," Yeddyurappa told reporters when asked about the action he proposed to take against the Reddy brothers over illegal mining.

Yeddyurappa, however, said he was awaiting the final report to be submitted by the Lokayukta on illegal mining and said action would be initiated against those indicted in the report.

"According to me no charges have been levelled against them. I can't presume. Let us wait for the report. We are not distancing from the Reddy brothers over the issue," he said.

Meanwhile, Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj sought to play down the row over inclusion of the Reddy brothers--Janardhana and Karunakara -- in the Yedduyurappa Ministry and blamed the media for the controversy.

Speaking to reporters at Hyderabad, she also denied any difference of opinion between her and senior leader Arun Jaitley on the issue.

PTI