'I will Resign, if  I Fail to Curb Illegal Mining'

Bangalore, Jul 13 (DHNS): Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has come out with a list of names of the Congress and the JD(S) members allegedly involved in illegal mining.

He also told the Legislative Council that he would resign as the Chief Minister if he failed to curb illegal mining in the State. The Chief Minister, in his reply to the debate on illegal mining in the Council on Monday, said many leaders including KPCC president R V Deshpande were involved in illegal mining in the State. Yeddyurappa said his government has records to show that JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy sanctioned mining in 2,300 ha in the State a few days before vacating the chair.

He said former MPs R L Jalappa, Manjunath Kunnur, Rajya Sabha member Anil Lad (all Congress), MLA C B Suresh Babu, MLA M T Krishnappa’s son K Raju, MLA S R Srinivas’ wife Bharatidevi are all involved in illegal mining in the State. He said: “I will prove that they are all into illegal mining. That is the reason why you are hesitating to join the delegation to the Prime Minister to ban the export of mineral.”

He said the State Government is unable to prevent illegal mining in the State due to certain policies of the Union government. “People in Bellary do not belong to one party. Despite knowing the fact, the previous governments did not do much to prevent this. We must put an end to this now,” he said. He said, “If I fail to stop this, I am ready to go to people to seek fresh mandate,” he said.

Pointing out that the officials are unable to prevent the movement of vehicles carrying mineral, he said the mining companies are moving to courts to get their vehicles released.

“I will entrust the matter to Lokayukta,” he said. Referring to a media report in which former Prime Minister had termed CBI a chor bachao institute, Yeddyurappa refused to order a CBI probe into illegal mining. He wanted the Opposition parties to give their consent to pass one-line resolution pressing the Centre to ban export of the natural resources.

Tourism Minister Janardhana Reddy suggested that there should be a ban on export of mineral wealth. “Let there be a ban from tomorrow, let’s go and meet the Prime Minister and appeal him to do so,” he said. The Council was adjourned when some of the members objected to the Chief Minister’s allegations. Raising a hue and cry, the members demanded that the government must agree to the CBI probe.

Deadlock continues

The entire Opposition in the Legislative Assembly stuck to its stand seeking action against the Bellary ministers - Janadharana and Karunakara Reddy - besides three other BJP legislators for their unruly behaviour in the Lower House. No proceedings could be conducted in the day with the Opposition members staging a dharna in the well of the House.

The Congress insisted that Speaker K G Bopaiah forward their complaint regarding criminal intimidation against the BJP members to the police.

The Opposition leaders had decided not to attend meeting of floor leaders and chief whips convened by the Speaker to discuss and resolve the impasse. Tourism Minister Janardhana Reddy admitted that he had lost his cool but blamed Congress member Dinesh Gundurao for provoking him. At these comments, pandemonium broke out again.