Deve Gowda says CBI inquiry in mining scandal justified

Bangalore, July 14 (ANI): H. D. Deve Gowda, chief of opposition Janata Dal party in Karnataka, said their demand of an investigation of the illegal mining scandal by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), is justified.

Leaders of the Congress and Janata Dal, have been demanding a CBI inquiry against two members of the state cabinet, Janardhana and Karunakara Reddy, the ministers for Infrastructure and Revenue, respectively, who are charged with being involved in illegal mining operations.

"The opposition has not created that atmosphere. Opposition was justified in demanding a CBI probe," said Deve Gowda.

He also said that senior leader of Bharatiya Janata Party, L. K. Advani must intervene into the matter and talk to the chief minister of Karnataka, B. S. Yeddyurappa, to agree to the CBI inquiry.

The lawmakers of the opposition parties said that the protest would continue till their demands are met.

"Mr. Janardhan Reddy, one year back, he also requested that the entire matter with H. D. Kumaraswamy, leader of regional Janata Dal party, has to be discussed. So, we are demanding to the Chief Minister that only CBI should inquire this. Till the time our protest will continue," said D.K. Shivkumar, a lawmaker of Congress party.

The protesters organised a rally from Bangalore to Bellary, and requested commoners to cooperate. (ANI)