Trust run by Yeddyurappa's sons received kickbacks: Opposition

Bangalore,Mar 15: Opposition Congress and JDS staged a dharna in Karnataka Legislative Assembly today demanding a CBI probe into alleged "kickbacks" received by a trust run by Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa's sons in return for Government favours.

Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah (Congress) also demanded the resignation of the Chief Minister.

However the opposition demand was rejected by the government, which dubbed CBI as the "Congress Bureau of Investigation". "We can't give it to CBI, that's our party's (BJP) stand.

We will not give any enquiry to CBI (to probe)", Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister S Suresh Kumar said.

Insisting on a CBI probe, opposition members trooped into the well of the House, staged a dharna and ignored appeals to go back to their seats by Speaker KG Bopaiah, who then adjourned the proceedings by half an hour.

A meeting of opposition leaders and Ministers convened by the Speaker in his chamber apparently failed to break the deadlock as Congress and JDS MLAs continued their dharna when the House re-assembled. Bopaiah then adjourned the House to meet post-lunch.

Earlier,Siddaramaiah alleged that funds given by donors to Prerana Educational and Social Trust where B Y Raghavendra and BY Vijayendra, the Chief Minister's sons, are among the trustees, was not "donation", but "kickbacks" to get government favours.

The issue had rocked the Assembly yesterday also. The opposition alleged that the trust had received Rs 27.18 crore donations during 2008-09 and 2009-10, with Adarsh Developers and Jindal (JSW Mining company) being two of the major donors.

Siddaramaiah said Adarsh Developers was allowed to encroach government land, while Jindal (JSW Mining Company) colluding with the state-run Mysore Minerals Ltd had got benefits and caused huge loss to the state exchequer.

"Bribe has taken place; corruption has taken place", he said and charged the Government with receiving "illegal gratification" and "kickbacks".

PTI