Not Going to Keep Shut on Corruption: Governor

Bangalore, Dec 20 (IANS): Asserting that accusations of being a Congress agent would not deter him, Karnataka Governor H.R. Bhardwaj on Monday said he was upset with Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa's reply to his two letters on corruption and would take action at an appropriate time.

"I am aware of some political leaders saying that Raj Bhavan is run like a five-star hotel for the governor. But I am not going to keep my mouth and ears shut. Though I am also being accused of being an agent of the Congress, such remarks will not deter me from performing my duty," Bhardwaj observed on the sidelines of a function Monday evening.

The governor said he was upset by the replies of the chief minister to his two letters.

"The chief minister's reply claiming that the charges were baseless and politically motivated have upset me. I have no other means to verify the various charges against him and his cabinet colleagues," Bhardwaj told reporters.

Bhardwaj said the replies had no mention on what action the chief minister or his government would take on the corruption charges and the continuation of illegal mining despite a ban.

"What else can I do? I am helpless as I have no other means to check the veracity of the serious allegations made against the chief minister and some ministers having interests in mining business," Bhardwaj said.

In a three-page reply to the governor's letters, Yeddyurappa on Sunday denied the charges of his alleged involvement in the land scams, including de-notification of government lands and allotment of prime housing sites to his family members and relatives.

In another reply, on the illegal mining business reportedly carried by Infrastructure Minister G. Janardhan Reddy and his elder brother and Revenue Minister G. Karunakara Reddy, the chief minister said the Reddy brothers had no subsisting contracts with the state government.

"How can I sit quiet when crores of rupees are being siphoned off by state ministers depriving the people of their due? I am closely studying the political situation in the state and will react at an appropriate time," Bhardwaj asserted.

Asked whether he would extend cooperation to the chief minister to end illegal mining in the state, the governor retorted that he was ever ready to do so provided Yeddyurappa meets him and discusses the plan of action.

Hinting that he would once again write to the chief minister seeking explanation, Bhardwaj said the law would take its own course and he would uphold his constitutional duties at any cost.

Rebutting charges of irregularities, Yeddyurappa said the government-appointed Justice B. Padmaraj Commission of Inquiry had already started the process to probe land scams since 1995.