From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bangalore, Feb 18: Congress leader and KPCC spokesman V S Ugrappa has accused Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa of trying to ``blackmail” Opposition leaders bythreatening that he would disclose more information about the properties they made when in power to hide how he and his family members amassed properties and wealth worth several crores overnight misusing his official position.
Addressing a news conference, Ugrappa alleged that Yeddyurappa was misleading the people on various issues of corruption and pretending to be more honest while he and his regime was steeped in corruption.
Instead of projecting himself to be the most honest and upright person, in spite of the series of corruption charges and land scams dogging his three-year-old regime, Ugrappa demanded that the Chief Minister must accept investigation into all the charges by CBI if he was really innocent.
Ugrappa contrasted the Congress` resolve in getting resignation from its leaders holding positions of authority and union ministers including DMK’s A Raja and subjecting them to investigation by the CBI under the supervision of the Supreme Court with that of the Yeddyurappa government’s.
The Congress leader urged Yeddyurappa to come out with a detailed and convincing reply on how his undivided family purchased large tracts of land in Shimoga and Shikaripura worth crores when its income was a mere Rs.2.50 lakh from agriculture, a couple of years ago.
``Is it possible to make so much of properties and become directors and share holders in ten companies in such a short period,” he asked.
Why was he not applying the same yardstick under which Katta Subramanya Naidu, Ramachandra Gowda, S.N.Krishnaiah Shetty and H. Halappa were eased out of his cabinet after criminal cases were filed and allegations of corruption were levelled against them, he said criticsing the Chief Minister’s decision to shamelessly stick on to power.
``It is shameful on the part of Yeddyurappa and BJP’s national leadership, who raised such a hue and cry over 2G scam,” Ugrappa said wondering what moral right he had to continue in power despite the State Governor according sanction for launching criminal cases against him on alleged land scams and corruption charges.
It is all the more interesting that Yeddyurappa had not only admitted his guilt twice in public and declared that he would throw out his children, especially sons from his home, who forced him to allot BDA sites and de notify lands, Ugrappa added.