Probe into expenses on house repair: Shobha

In a letter dated January 2 to the chief minister Yeddyurappa, Karandlaje has expressed surprise over his statement on the floor of the Legislative Council that Rs 38 lakh had been spent to renovate the government bungalow she had occupied as minister.

 Karandlaje stated that only minor repair work on two doors and red tiles had been laid in the compound. “A comprehensive inquiry need to be ordered to probe the matter”, she said.

The CM in his reply to a starred question by JD(S) leader M C Nanaiah during the recently concluded legislature session had stated that members of his Cabinet together had spent over Rs 5 crore on the renovation works of their official quarters since they became ministers 18 months ago.

The sum spent on Karandlaje’s quarters on 1, Gandhi Bhavan Road had been stated as 38.85 lakh. Karandlaje has said she will not accept any post either in the party or in the State Government. “I am happy being an MLA and wish to continue to do social service as an MLA”, she had said on Wednesday, referring to her meeting with BJP national president Nitin Gadkari in Delhi on Tuesday and consequent reports that the party may offer her a position at the national level.