'Dismiss Reddy brothers or face consequences'

“The Yeddyurappa-led BJP government will have to face the consequences if the tainted ministers are not dropped. The chief minister should act now or the Constitution will,” he informed the reporters.

Strongly defending Governor H R Bhardwaj for issuing notices to G Janardhana Reddy, G Karunakara Reddy and S Sriramulu, Siddaramaiah said the Governor is empowered by the Constitution to take action against tainted ministers.

When asked why the Governor was delaying dismissal of the three ministers, the senior Congress leader said the Governor has directed the chief minister to do so.  

“In the meantime he is gathering more information about Reddy brothers and will take an appropriate decision at an appropriate time,” he added.

The Bellary ministerial trio are facing a number of cases pertaining to illegal mining and election malpractices. Also there are evidences that they are influencing the government’s decision in their favour. Hence, their dismissal is warranted, he argued.

At the first place they were ‘ineligible’ to be in the ministry. Hence, they should be sacked at once to protect the natural resources of the State, he demanded.

“Either the chief minister should display courage to protect the State’s natural resources by dropping them from the Cabinet or if he is unable to discharge his Constitutional duties, he should tender his resignation.”

Siddaramaiah demanded that the government should submit white paper on funds utilisation in floods relief work.