Bribery issue: K'taka CM misleading people of state: Reddy

Bellary, July 31: Continuing his tirade against Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy in the bribery issue, suspended BJP member G Janardhana Reddy today accused him of misleading the public by changing his statements on the issue conveniently to suit the situation.

Talking to reporters here, he said ''When I accused Mr Kumaraswamy of having received Rs 150 crore from the mining lobby in the district, he had said that he did not even know how many zeroes were there in Rs one crore.

''Let the CBI take up the investigation in the issue...only then all trade matters connected to the Chief Minister and his family members will come out,'' he added.

Reiterating his allegation that Forests Minister C Chennigappa's role in the bribery issue was vital, he alleged that the Minister had been collecting the bribe money from the mine owners and the amount reached the Chief Minister in a phased manner through different government agencies in a span of three months.'' Ever since the Karnataka Legislature was adjourned sine die, Mr Chennigappa had been absconding, he claimed and asked the Minister to come out in public.

Accusing Home Minister M P Prakash of making contradictory statements on the issue, he pointed out that the Minister, who had earlier denied that his son was not involved in mining activities, had now changed his version and said his son was doing mining exploration legally.

Referring to Public Prosecutor of the district court Eshwar Ingalahalli's statement that Mr M P Ravindra, son of Mr Prakash, and and Mr N Suryanarayana Reddy, Kurugodu legislator, were not involved in the attack on MSPL, a mining company in Hospet on May 13, he said ''The statement is objectional. Being a public prosecutor, he should not have submitted any clarification in favour of any person.'' Taking serious note of the statement, he said he would draw the attention of Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Cyriac Joseph in this regard. '' This is just one more instance to prove how persons in the government are misusing power,'' he added.

Mr Reddy hreatened to file a writ petition against Mr Anantha Shetty, defeated JD (S) candidate in the recent elections to the Karnataka Legislative Council, for making 'false' allegations against him.

Talking to reporters here, he said ''Mr Shetty has been making false allegations against me and threatening to seek my disqualification from the Council without knowing the details properly.'' Referring to Mr Shetty's charge that he was an accused in a defamation case and had paid a penalty of Rs 5,000 in the district court, he said the case was yet to be finalised in the district court and in the meanwhile ''I have filed an appeal in the higher court'' in this regard and a decision was awaited.

Brushing aside Mr Shetty's allegation that he had not filed his IT returns before filing his nomination for the recently held Council elections, he said the filing of IT returns at the stage of filing of nomination was ''irrelevant'' as there was still time for me then to file it.

''Without knowing all these legal matters Mr Shetty has been threatening to file a case in the Karnataka High Court seeking my disqualification from the Upper House,'' he pointed out.

UNI