Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jan 17: “Karnataka Chief Minister, B S Yeddyurappa, is aware that he will be behind the bars, if the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducts investigation into land scams in the state. For this specific reason, he is not amenable to the demand for CBI investigation,” alleged Congress leader, V S Ugrappa. He was addressing a press conference in the city on Sunday January 16.

He said that the Lokayukta had started looking into the complaints of land scam as per a complaint filed by the Congress with him. “As soon as the Lokayukta took up our complaint, the government ordered judicial inquiry. It is difficult to believe that the government will take steps once the judicial commission submits its report,” he added.

Ugrappa, taking the government to task for its way of functioning, charged it of not allowing discussion on land scam and other corrupt practices in the legislature. He accused the Chief Minister of repeatedly demanding for a discussion on vote of thanks for the Governor’s address, knowing fully well that discussing this issue has no relevance.

He put the total amount of corruption the state government has got involved with after it came to power, at about Rs 1.5 lac crore. “As BJP bigwigs too are involved in these corrupt practices, Yeddyurappa is not agreeable for CBI inquiry,” he felt.  He also said that the assembly speaker does not have the power to implement the action recommended by the house committee headed by MLA, Appachchu Ranjan, against 15 legislators for unruly behaviour. Ugrappa predicted the downfall of the BJP government in near future on account of its own follies.

Congress leaders, Moidin Bawa, Sudhir T K, and others, were present at the press conference.