'CBI Centre's handmaiden'

He was speaking to reporters at the Hanumanamatti Krishi Vignana Kendra of Ranebennur taluk in the district. The arrest of BJP leader Janardhana Reddy is part of such efforts, the chief minister said.

Terming the former minister’s arrest by the CBI as politically motivated, he said such incidents were detrimental to a democratic set-up. Gowda said he had immense faith in the judicial system and that the Centre’s efforts would come to nought.

When asked whether he believed Reddy was guilty, Gowda said the mining baron would come out unscathed out of the whole episode. He extended his full support to Reddy’s legal battle.