File Cases against Acharya, Dhananjaya, Demands HDK
Bangalore, Jul 19 (DHNS): JD(S) State president H D Kumaraswamy on Monday asked Lokayukta Santosh Hegde to file cases against BJP leaders V S Acharya and V Dhananjaya Kumar for allegedly trying to influence him on not including Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa’s name in the final report on illegal mining.
In addition, Yeddyurappa should own responsibility for the entire episode and resign on moral grounds, he said.
Addressing a press conference, the JD(S) leader said it was unfortunate that the chief minister tried to influence even a constitutional body like the Lokayukta. Hegde must file cases, he said.
Kumaraswamy also said his party would submit a memorandum to the governor condemning BJP’s action. A procession would be taken out to Raj Bhavan to submit the memorandum.
It was unfortunate that leaders of the Congress and BJP had no respect for constitutionally established organisations, and talked ill of everyone, Kumaraswamy said.
Referring to Congress leader B K Hariprasad’s outbursts against Hegde, the JD(S) leader said it was the Congress which was ‘protecting’ the BJP in the State, despite the BJP committing irregularities. “Karnataka has been just a lena and dena bank for the Congress and the BJP,” he ridiculed.
When his attention was drawn to Hegde’s comment that even the Kumaraswamy government was corrupt, but was less corrupt than the Yeddyurappa government, Kumaraswamy said: “Yes. Some of the BJP ministers in my cabinet were corrupt. I own the moral responsibility for it. But unlike the BJP, I am not going to criticise the Lokayukta.”
‘Ready to face probe’
BJP leader V Dhananjaya Kumar on Monday said he was ready to face any inquiry if the government or the Opposition desired so.
Reacting to allegations against him that he tried to influence the Lokayukta, the BJP leader said: “The Opposition is making all sorts of allegations to destabilise the Yeddyurappa government. I am ready for any inquiry. One day the truth will come out. I had never approached Justice Hegde seeking any favour. That being the case, the entire episode seems mysterious. It is unfortunate that the Lokayukta is reacting to all these. I have been in public life for the last 40 years.”
He reiterated that he had met Hegde on some occasions, but not to seek any favour.