From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Feb 20: In a bid to turn the tables against anti-corruption crusader S R Hiremath, senior Congress leader Ramesh Kumar has demanded a CBI probe into the activities of the Samaj Parivarthan Samudaya (SPS) headed by the former.
Participating in the debate on budget proposals in the Karnataka legislative assembly on Thursday, the former speaker said the CBI probe should cover all the activities of SPS, including receiving funds from foreign sources to file public interest litigations (PILs) against politicians.
Kumar claimed that SPS and its president S R Hiremath have received $ 10,666 in 2008 from foreign agencies and violated the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).
Kumar said he had collected all documents with regard to receipt of funds from foreign agencies by SPS to file PILs against politicians and appealed to Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa to request to the State Government to recommend the CBI probe into SPS affairs.
The audit report of SPS revealed that social activist Hiremath has violated the FCRA, Kumar said.
SPS has accused Kumar of indulged in land grabbing in Kolar district.
Hiremath has leveled serious allegations against Energy Minister D K Shivakumar regarding land scams and was largely responsible for the then Information Minister Santhosh Lad’s resignation from the Siddaramaiah cabinet over his alleged involvement in mining scam.
The former speaker said the SPS has leveled baseless charges against him, former External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and many other active politicians and has thereby tarnished their image.
The baseless charges were nothing but character assassination of leaders who had served in various offices for many decades, Kumar said.
He urged the State Government to look into all documents he had submitted to the Speaker.
Home Minister K J George, who was present in the House, responded to his party colleague’s demand and promised to review all documents submitted by Ramesh Kumar and take a suitable action.
The minister said would also refer issues such as violation of the FCRA by SPS to the Union Kumar urged the Centre and take necessary action, if necessary.
The senior Congress leader urged the State Government to identify a suitable place for establishment of a Legislators’ Club for holding press conferences, workshops and seminars for legislators.