Bhardwaj looks to President on Yeddy

Bangalore, July 24: Karnataka governor H.R. Bhardwaj today said he would approach the President for action on the Lokayukta report on illegal mining that is expected to be released in a day or two. Speaking to reporters here this morning, the governor dodged questions on whether he would recommend President’s rule in the state, saying he had no requests from political parties to impose central rule. The report, portions of which were leaked to the media last week, indicts chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, four ministers, former chief minister and JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy and Congress MP Anil Lad among others in the scam that cost the state exchequer Rs 1,800 crore. Commenting on Lokayukta Santosh Hegde’s stand that he was required to file the report only to the state government which had referred the matter of illegal mining to him, the governor said: “I never asked him to give me a report.” But he would welcome a copy if the Lokayukta chooses to give him one, Bhardwaj said, repeating his earlier statement that he was the competent authority to deal with the situation. With the ruling and Opposition parties gearing up for the release of the report, the stage is set for high drama. The Opposition parties want nothing less than the removal of the chief minister and all the tainted ministers, including the Reddy brothers —tourism minister Janardhan Reddy and revenue minister Karunakara Reddy — seen as the lords of the illegal mining racket in the north Karnataka district of Bellary. Despite the BJP’s official stand of backing the chief minister, party insiders confirmed moves to find a replacement for Yeddyurappa. State minister for rural development Jagadish Shettar today held a long meeting with the party’s national general secretary and Lok Sabha member Ananth Kumar at the latter’s residence. Party sources said the meeting was significant as Kumar is seen as an alternative to Yeddyurappa since he commands a good number of the legislators who had earlier rebelled against the chief minister’s “dictatorial” ways. Names of state party chief K.S. Easwarappa, education minister V.S. Acharya and energy minister Shobha Karandlaje have also emerged as alternatives in case Yeddyurappa is forced to step down. The chief minister has ruled out resigning, but party sources said today he might have to put in his papers if the group against him tightens its grip within the BJP and decides to back someone else. While there is talk that Yeddyurappa might agree to install close confidante Karandlaje as his successor, the energy minister may not stand a chance against heavyweights like Kumar or Easwarappa. Earlier in the day, state Congress leaders met the governor seeking the ouster of Yeddyurappa.