BJP, JD(S) resume mud-slinging

Chief Minister’s Political Secretary B J Puttaswamy on Tuesday launched a renewed attack on JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on the Rs 150-crore bribery scam, alleging that some mining firms had paid him bribe in the form of iron ore which was later exported by companies owned by his family members.

Addressing reporters, he alleged that three companies owned by Kumaraswamy’s family members exported 1,50,566 metric tonnes of iron ore to China and Singapore soon after he became the chief minister in February 2006.

Puttaswamy, who released a set of documents to back his charges, alleged that Kumaraswamy had done favours to the mining firms, which, in turn, paid the bribe.
Crores of rupees were deposited in the bank accounts of his family members, including his brother H D Balakrishne Gowda, his wife H Kavitha, and her parents Jayamma and Honnappa.

Tourism Minister G Janardhana Reddy had made this allegation against Kumaraswamy in 2006. Puttaswamy, however, claimed that he has all documentary evidence to prove that Kumaraswamy had taken bribe in the form of iron ore.

The political secretary to the chief minister said a city-based advocate Vinod Kumar recently filed a private complaint before the Karnataka Lokayukta seeking a probe in this regard.

The BJP will urge the Lokayukta to expedite the investigation by providing additional documents, he added.

He dared Kumaraswamy to disclose the source of iron ore that companies owned by his family members exported. Otherwise, he said he would release another set of documents to expose his misdeeds.

“He (Kumaraswamy) had stated he would retire from politics if proved that his family members have illegally exported ore. It has now been proved,” Puttaswamy said.

He said Kumaraswamy “has lost his mental balance” and warned him against making any derogatory statements against him. The JD(S) leader had on Monday described Puttaswamy as one who draws nasty pictures in public toilets.