Govt, Oppn blame each other for illegal exports

"Illegal exports have been going on for the last eight to 10 years. You remained silent and kept your eyes shut. But now you want my government to take action against it. Influential people are involved in it," Yeddyurappa claimed.

Intervening during the debate on illegal mining in which JDS leader H D Revanna participated, he said, "Your father (H D Devegowda) and your brother (H D Kumaraswamy) were also the chief ministers, but they did not give it (suo motu powers to Lokayukta). In the past two years, no chief minister has granted such powers to Lokayukta. Now you are asking me to do it."

Before the JDS-BJP government collapsed, Kumaraswamy sanctioned new mining licences to MLAs, friends and and also to some in benami names, Yeddyurappa charged.

Revanna and other JDS members demanded that the government refer all the issues regarding illegal mining to CBI probe.

Yeddyurappa also referred to the "irrigation contracts awarded in upper Krishna valley by irrigation department during the regime of Devegowda".
Slamming Revanna for his remark that some of his ministerial colleagues indulged in illegal mining, Yeddyurappa dared him to produce evidence and said he would take action.

Intervening, Tourism Minister and mining magnate G Janardhana Reddy alleged that Revanna's brothers had exported iron ore illegally and said he would continue his legal battle against Kumaraswamy, against whom he has made Rs 150 crore bribery allegations.

A remark by Reddy against Congress President Sonia Gandhi triggered an uproar in the House and a dharna by Congress and JDS members protesting against it.
Congress members, who trooped into the well of the House also raised slogans against Reddy and demanded his apology.

Yeddyurappa later expressed regret for the remark and the Speaker K G Bhopaiah expunged it. The House was later adjourned for the day.