BJP dharna for Lad's dismissal

The BJP leaders on Monday held a dharna on the premises of the Vidhana Soudha seeking the removal of Minister of State for Infrastructure Development and Information Santosh Lad from the Council of Ministers for his alleged involvement in the mining scam.

Several legislators, MPs and senior leaders of the party, including State BJP president Pralhad Joshi, took part in the protest. Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council D V Sadananda Gowda said that when the Congress was in the opposition it had made illegal mining an issue. But, after coming to power, the party was not acting against those allegedly involved in the scam. 

Former chief minister Jagadish Shettar alleged that by shielding Lad, the Congress was trying to protect those involved in illegal mining. Former State BJP chief K S Eshwarappa said the BJP showed moral responsibility by seeking the resignation of the then chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, when it was alleged that he was involved in illegal mining case. But, the Congress is not ready to take action against Lad, he added.