Corrupt ministers’ list given to Yeddyurappa: Governor
By IANSWednesday, December 22, 2010
BANGALORE - The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and Governor H.R. Bhardwaj Wednesday intensified attack on each other over alleged corruption and land allotment scandals in Karnataka.
Bhardwaj, who has been demanding ‘true picture’ from chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa over his land deals and action against Reddy brothers over their alleged illegal iron ore mining, said late Wednesday that he had given ‘list of corrupt ministers’ to Yeddyurappa.
“I have a list of corrupt ministers. If you want it, come to Raj Bhavan (governor’s official residence). I have given the list to the chief minister,” Bhardwaj told reporters on the margins of a function here.
Bhardwaj’s statement came within hours of Yeddyurappa ticking him off saying if the governor was not satisfied with the replies he had given regarding land deals he could not help it.
“I cannot satisfy every one. There is no need also,” Yeddyurappa had told reporters in his hometown Shikaripura, about 330 kms from here, reacting to Bhardwaj saying he ‘is not satisfied with chief minister’s reply to his letter’ on the charges against him.
Asked about Wednesday’s BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) protest rallies across the county against corruption in the central government, Bhardwaj repeated “anybody who wants the list of corrupt ministers (in the state) can come to Raj Bhavan and take it.”
The governor came under attack again by state BJP president K.S. Eshwarappa who said Wednesday that Bhardwaj wants to please Congress leadership and become a central minister again.
Bhardwaj was central law minister before his appointment as Karnataka governor.
Bhardwaj had written two letters to Yeddyurappa seeking explanation on charges that the chief minister had favoured his kin with prime land in and around Bangalore and on action taken against Reddy brothers, who are also ministers, over their alleged illegal iron ore mining.
He has said he would write one more letter to Yeddyurappa as he was not satisfied with the reply. Yeddyurppa is reported to have denied allegations against him as baseless.
On Reddy brothers, Yeddyurappa has told Bhardwaj that they do not have license to operate mines in Karnataka and they do so in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.
