JD-S for resignation of Yeddyurappa on illegal mining issue

Bangalore, Jul 18 (PTI) Ahead of Karnataka Lokayukta
Santosh Hegde presenting his report on illegal mining in the
state, opposition JD-S (Janata Dal-Secular) on Monday demanded
filing of cases against some ruling BJP (Bharatiya Janata
Party) leaders for allegedly trying to influence him "to save"
Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on the issue.
Though Hegde has so far declined to comment on whether his
report will fault the powerful Reddy brothers, who are mining
barons from Bellary and are ministers in the BJP government,
speculation is rife that his report might indict the BJP
government for failing to check illegal mining.
Amid reports that senior BJP leaders had approached Hegde
and asked him not to mention Yeddyurappa's name in his report,
state JD-S chief H D Kumaraswamy told reporters here that the
Lokayukta should file case against minister V S Acharya,
state's special representative in Delhi V Dhananjayakumar and
former Finance Commission chairman A J Kudgi and order their
arrest.
Kumaraswamy also demanded Yeddyurappa's resignation on
moral grounds over the issue and alleged that both BJP and
Congress had no respect for constitutionally created bodies.
"Congress and BJP seem to be scared of Lokayukta's final
report on illegal mining, expected to be submitted soon," he
said.
He also said JD-S would hold a rally here tomorrow and
present a memorandum to Governor H R Bhardwaj demanding
dismissal of the Yeddyurappa government for trying to
"influence" the Lokayukta.
Hegde had claimed that Dhananjaykumar and Acharya had met
him some months ago and tried to influence him against
indicting Yeddyurappa in his report on illegal mining.
Dhananjayakumar, however, rubbished charges that he
attempted to influence the Lokayukta though he admitted that
he along with Acharya had met Hegde some months ago.
"Yes, I did meet .... it was a courtesy call and not to
influence him on illegal mining report", he told reporters.