2 BJP ministers seek probe into land scam

Home minister R Ashoka, on Tuesday, told reporters that in the wake of recent allegations of illegal denotification of land, it was better if a judicial probe was ordered into all the allegations so that the public would know reality.

The Opposition leaders had been making allegations of illegal denotification often. “Let the issues be clear and the public know about them. I will discuss the matter with the Chief Minister and request him to honour a judicial probe,” he said.

Water Resources minister Basavaraj Bommai, agreeing with his ministerial colleague said that many chief ministers and ministers in the past acquired large extent of land in the names of their family members illegally.

The Chief Minister should order a judicial probe into land holdings of current ministers, former chief ministers and ministers. Barring a few chief ministers who ruled the State after its formation, many have amassed properties in their relatives’ names. “Me and many ministers are of the opinion that a detailed inquiry should be conducted. We will discuss the issue with the CM,” he said.

Ashoka criticised leaders of the Congress and the JD(S) for their comments against BJP leaders that they were into Operation Lotus. He countered the allegations stating that it was leaders of the Congress and the JD(S) trying to destabilise the government by luring BJP MLAs. “Who met the BJP rebels in Goa and Chennai? Who kept BJP MLAs in captivity and who paid the bills of resorts?”, he questioned.

He said the details of payments made to the resorts would be known in the coming days. The opposition parties which had been making allegations of illegal mining since the BJP came to power had been funded by the mining lobby, he alleged.