Pics: Joshwa D''Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JD)

Mangaluru, Dec 19: Senior Congress leader Janardhan Poojary on Monday December 19 dared BJP state president and former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa to reveal the names of the three state ministers and two MLAs who are allegedly involved in corruption.

Poojary was responding to Yeddyurappa''s recent statement that three state ministers would be ''forced to resign'' within a fortnight for indulging in corruption.

Addressing a press meet here, Poojary said, "By levelling allegations of corruption without revealing names, Yeddyurappa is doing nothing but hit-and-run. It is easy to make allegations against anyone and then keep quiet without proving them. If you (Yeddyurappa) have the guts, reveal the names of the ministers and MLAs whom you have accused of being party to corruption. You have the responsibility to even prove the allegations once you reveal the names."

Addressing Yeddyurappa further, he said, "You also alleged that the money collected through corrupt means is being given to the Congress high command and chief minister Siddharamiah is the one giving it. I think this was a tradition followed by you when you were the chief minister. If not, how can you level baseless allegations against the chief minister without any proof?

"If you do not reveal the names of the ministers, you are entitled to be considered as the accused under the IPC section 201 on charges of hiding a crime. You must be accountable for your words," Poojary told Yeddyurappa.

He, however, urged the CM not to ignore the allegations. "Chief minister Siddaramaiah must consider the allegations by Yeddiyurappa seriously and investigate who those ministers and MLAs are. Siddaramaiah came to power with the promise that he would give a corruption-free administration. I said the same to him during the party workers meet in Mysuru. If you (Siddaramaiah) do not work to abolish corruption, the people of the state will teach you a lesson in the next election," he said.

When asked about the accountability of Rahul Gandhi on the allegations he levelled against Prime Minister Modi, Poojary said, "Rahul Gandhi will prove these allegations in the Parliament and it is the right place to do so. If he fails in doing so, then he fails in his duty towards the country and the people of Amethi who have elected him," he said.

When asked about ex-minister H Y Meti''s alleged sex scandal, he said, "It is wrong on the chief minister''s part that no action has been taken against the former minister except for his resignation. He must see the video clippings telecast by the television channels before giving any statements."

Fomer MLA Vijaykumar Shetty, Kallige Tharanath Shetty and others were present.