Yeddyurappa hints at probe into horse trading

The State Government will order a judicial probe into the recent efforts to destablise the government and the circulation of CDs on the alleged horse trading of MLAs after the high court delivers its verdict on the disqualification of 11 BJP legislators, said Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa.

Interacting with mediapersons on Saturday, he endorsed the views expressed by Pejawar seer Visveshathirtha Swami that the Anti-defection Act needs to be amended in the wake of recent political developments in the State. He will hold talks with parliamentarians to impress upon the Centre to amend the Act. He also plans to consult experts.

The probe to be conducted by a retired high court judge will cover allegations of attempts to bribe MLAs Appachuranjan and others by the Opposition. The judge will also look into the charges of Suresh Gowda on the alleged bribe offer to JD(S) legislator S R Srinivas. The chief minister said the Congress and the JD(S) should function as an effective Opposition instead of indulging in destabilising an elected government. He was even ready to hold a meeting with the Opposition leaders to sort out the current political mess.

Power hungry

Yeddyurappa alleged that JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy was power hungry and unable to stomach the “massive development activities” being implemented by the BJP government. The JD(S) was trying to create instability to derail the development process.
He said Kumaraswamy has been “changing colours” too often to enjoy power. First, Kumaraswamy aligned with the Congress. Then he joined hands with the BJP, but ditched it later. Now, he is leading the campaign to topple the government with the backing of the Congress. Yeddyurappa asserted that the government is totally committed to the overall development of the State.

Three-hundred villages have been relocated to safer places in North Karnataka  under Asare Yojane. Nearly 50 per cent work has been done for constructing new townships in the flood-affected areas, he said.

On the recent ratings of governments by a magazine, in which Karnataka has been declared as one of the most corrupt States, he said the State had failed to project the real development work. Corruption has drastically come down compared to earlier years.
He visited goddess Mukambika temple at Kollur and offered special poojas during the early hours. Replying to a query regarding his prayers to the goddess, the chief minister said he prayed to get rid of all evil forces disturbing the government.