JD(U) seeks Krishna's resignation

Bangalore, Aug 16: The Janata Dal (United) in Karnataka today demanded the resignation of former Chief Minister and Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna and a CBI inquiry to probe the alleged involvement of Congress leaders in the multi-crore stamp paper scam following the kingpin Abdul Kareem Telgi's revelations.

Addressing a press conference here, party State President B Somasekhar referred to the reported taped conversation between Telgi and some politicians during which he had named Mr Krishna and other Congress leaders and demanded that the State Government write to the CBI authorities to take cognisance of the tape and recorded statement of former Karnataka police officer Sangram Singh. ''The Government itself joining hands with the scamsters is the most heinous crime and the guilty should be brought to book.'' He alleged that the then Krishna Government had abetted circulation of fake stamp papers in the State despite alternative arrangements made by the erstwhile Janata Dal Government for registration of properties.

Mr Somasekhar, the former Revenue Minister, said the then JD Government taking cognisance of the magnitude of the scam immediately brought in an amendment to the Registration Act and banned the use of Stamp Paper for registration of properties.

However, when Mr Krishna assumed power in 1999, he had revoked the order, thereby abetting the circulation of fake stamp papers and causing huge loss to the State exchequer.

He said the party would launch an agitation if the State Government failed to fulfill its demands. The party, extending issue-based support to the ruling JD(S)-BJP combine, would also raise the issue on the floor of the Legislature.

UNI