BJP legislator retracts bribery charge against K'taka CM

Bangalore, July 14 (UNI) In a day of swift political developments, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator G Janardhana Reddy today retracted the bribery charge he had made against Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Forests Minister C Chennigappa.

Making a U-turn at a crowded news conference here, Mr Reddy in a written statement clarified that some people were collecting money from mine owners in Bellary district misusing the name of Mr Kumaraswamy. He had no malafide intentions against anyone when he had levelled the charges, he added.

The BJP MLC's recent allegation that Mr Kumaraswamy and Mr Chennigappa had recieved a bribe of Rs 150 crore from mine owners in Bellary district had rocked both the Houses of the Legislature with the opposition Congress demanding the resignation of Mr Kumaraswamy and a CBI probe into the issue.

To a question, Mr Reddy said he would stand by his earlier decision with regard to the transfer of Bellary district Superintentendent of Police Prashant Kumar Takur and said his demand to cancel the transfer order was still valid. The official had efficiently tackled naxalite menace in the district and it was not correct on the part of the Chief Minister to transfer him without consulting the district in charge minister, he added.

Mr Reddy was whisked away by his party leaders Katta Subramanya Naidu and others even as media representatives tried to seek clarifications.

Asked to comment on Mr Reddy's statement, Mr Kumaraswamy said from the beginning he had been saying that there was no basis for the allegation. He would react on the whole episode in detail in the Assembly while replying to the discussion on the issue, he added.

Asked whether he would cancel the transfer order of the police official, he said any decision taken would be in the interest of the state.

Reacting to the statement, Mr Chennigappa said it was true that naxalite menace was rampant in Bellary district and the ultras were collecting funds from the mine owners.

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