Cong brings up mining issue to shield Sheila

“Those who are demanding the resignation of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit should be asked what is happening in Karnataka. They should not adopt double standards on the issue of corruption,” Congress general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Madhusudan Mistri said while addressing a press conference here.

Questioning the silence of the BJP central leadership on the issue of corruption and illegal mining in Karnataka, Mistri said: “Yeddyurappa as a chief minister could not have allowed corruption and illegal mining in Karnataka on such a scale without the backing of central party leaders. The central leaders of BJP are (also) a party.”

Congress Legislature Party leader of Karnataka Assembly Siddaramaiah, also present in the specially convened press conference said, “Yeddyurappa is indulging in corruption, misuse of power, nepotism and favouritism to his kith and kin. He has no moral right to continue as Chief Minister.”

Giving figures on illegal mining in the state, Siddaramaiah claimed that iron ore worth Rs 5,000 crore has been illegally exported outside Karnataka during the tenure of B S Yeddyurappa. Also, that the illegal mining in recent years has caused a loss of over Rs 50,000 crore to the state exchequer.

Alleging that Yeddyurappa has “colluded” with those involved in illegal mining in the state, Siddaramaiah demanded “to refer the entire matter to CBI”.

However, Both Mistri and Siddaramaiah, avoided answering questions whether they were seeking dismissal of the Karnataka government and imposition of President’s rule in the state and said these are the matters to be looked into by the Governor and all they wanted was to highlight corruption in the state.

The leaders also alleged that the Karnataka Chief Minister was involved in illegal land deals concerning his family members.

An eight-page document on “shameless and repeated corruption by the BJP government in Karnataka” was also released in the press conference.