Cong targets BJP leaders after Reddy's arrest in mining scam

New Delhi/Bangalore, Sep 6: Stepping up its offensive againt BJP over issue of illegal mining in Karnataka after the arrest of its former minister, Congress on Monday demanded a CBI probe into such activities in the state and an inquiry into alleged business ties of its top leaders with mining magnates Reddy brothers.

BJP, which appeared to be on its backfoot, expressed the hope that G Janardhan Reddy, who was the Tourism and Infrastructure Development Minister in the previous B S Yeddyurappa government, will come out clean but maintained the whole issue was related to his private business and not to the party.

While Karnataka Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda refused to react to the development, state BJP President K S Eshwarappa alleged that the CBI is working under the shadow of the ruling party at the Centre.

"The arrest of Janardhana Reddy proves the CBI is under the shadow of the Congress," Eshwarappa told reporters at the district headquarters town of Shimoga. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla said the law is taking its course in the case.

"You all know that the Government does not interfere in the functioning of the CBI. The CBI is investigating the matter and they must be proceedings according to their investigation. You should have faith in them," he said in Delhi.

Training his guns at the top BJP leadership, Congress leader Digvijay Singh, who was in Jammu, demanded an inquiry into alleged "business ties" of Sushma Swaraj and M Venkaiah Naidu with Reddy brothers. The Leader of Opposition said she was ready for any probe.

Union Minister M Veerappa Moily said the arrest of Reddy by CBI following an Andhra Pradesh High Court order in the illegal mining case was a "lesson" for those occupying high offices not to misuse their position.

PTI