Karnataka minister resigns over illegal mining charges

Bangalore, Nov 22:

Information and Infrastructure Minister Santosh Lad on Friday

after being accused of engaging in illegal export of iron ore through the Belikeri port. Lad's VS Lad & Company is allegedly involved in the illegal export case.

Lad, however, said he resigned on moral grounds and that the government has every right to probe the case against him. He said he did not want to embarrass the state government.

Samaj Parivartana Samudaya chief S R Hiremath had brought the allegations and demanded his resignation. He also urged Governor H R Bhardwaj on Friday to prevail upon Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to remove Lad from the state Cabinet.

Lad said he was resigning on moral grounds and didn't want to embarrass his govt

Ninety-five-year-old freedom fighter H S Doreswamy also wrote to the chief minister, demanding the latter's ouster on grounds of illegal export of iron ore. On November 11, he wrote yet another letter to the CM about Lad.

Opposition BJP too wanted Lad's removal. State party president Pralhad Joshi, former chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda and former deputy chief minister R Ashoka and other party leaders took out a rally to the CN's office in Bangalore recently, demanding the resignation of Lad.

OneIndia News