BJP legislator renews allegation on K'taka CM

Bangalore, July 19: BJP member G Janardhan Reddy today created a furore in the Karnataka Legislative Council by renewing his bribery allegations against Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and two other ministers.

Mr Reddy, who had recently alleged that Mr Kumaraswamy and Forests Minister C Chenigappa had received a bribe of Rs 150 crore from the mining lobby in Bellary district and subsequently did a volte face after his statement kicked up a controversy, reversed his statement again.

Intervening when the House was taking up special mentions, he reiterated his recent allegation made at a recent press conference.

Mr Reddy, who had maintained silence in the House when the main opposition Congress members provoked him yesterday, burst out and hurled allegations against Mr Kumaraswamy, Mr Chennigappa, Home Minister M P Prakash and his son.

Officiating Chairman Sachidananda Khot declined permission to Mr Reddy to speak when he made a mention about the bribe amount of Rs 150 crore. As he continued with his remarks, the Chair adjourned the House sine die, amid noisy scenes.

Later, talking to newspersons, Mr Reddy said he would standby his remarks made in the Upper House. He said he wanted to make a statement yesterday itself when he came to the Huse for the first time after he had levelled the charges. But he was restrained by the BJP leaders. ''I felt hurt in the House when I was stopped by party leaders,'' he added.

He said the Chief Minister had not made any mention about the charge when he replied to the discussion in the State Assembly. The tone of his speech reflected that he was ''blackmailing'' the mine owners, he claimed.

Referring to charges against Mr Prakash, Mr Reddy alleged that his son was involved in collecting money from iron ore transporters in the district.

Asked whether he had the support of party leaders for changing his decision for the second time, the BJP member that he was not bothered about their support. ''I have the support of the people'' he added.

He alleged that anti-social elements were raising their ugly heads in the state and worsening the law and order situation.

Karnataka was turning into another Bihar, he added.

Mr Reddy's allegation had rocked both the Houses of the State Legislature with the Congress stalling the proceedings demanding the resignation of Mr Kumaraswamy and a CBI probe into the issue.

Making a U-turn, Mr Reddy had a couple of days ago said he had not made any direct allegation against the Chief Minister. He had only said that some people were collecting money from mine owners misuing Mr Kumaraswamy name.

UNI