Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Jul 21: Squirting fresh dose of venom at his long-time adversary and former Chief Minister (CM), H D Kumaraswamy, state tourism minister, Janardan Reddy demanded the former CM to disclose the sources from which Rs 36 crore got deposited into the account of BSK Trading Company during the six months period. He said that the company is owned by Dr Ramesh and Balakrishne Gowda, brothers of Kumaraswamy, who do not have any mining leases in the state.

“Within a few days of Kumaraswamy becoming the Chief Minister, the turnover of BSK Trading Company surged. In six months, the company received Rs 36 crore, and the entire money was drawn in the form of cash. What mining lease did the company have? Does it own any mines in the state? How come the money got deposited into the account in cash, and for what reasons was the amount drawn in cash? These people do not care for law, bank rules or income tax rules. While I am pure gold, you people are black gold,” he said, in an extended diatribe directed at Kumaraswamy, speaking to media persons here on Tuesday July 20.

Reddy said that he is ready to provide full details of Rs 150 crore he had earlier accused Kumaraswmy of receiving in the form of bribe for permitting iron ore transportation. He said that a person named S K Modi, to whom mining lease was sanctioned by Kumaraswamy in Vibhutigudda in Bellary, is the main witness for this transaction, and that he will provide full details on this transaction to the Lokayukta.

He said he had not divulged the names of the owners of the mines in Bellary, who had paid money to Kumaraswamy earlier, as they faced life threats. He said he has with him a CD of the dealings between S K Modi and Kumaraswamy. He said he hopes to get justice in the case, which is before the Supreme Court now.