BJP came to power in Karnataka through slush money: Congress

BANGALORE: Congress in Karnataka on Monday alleged the BJP hoisted its first government in the south only with the help of money gained through illegal mining and demanded handing over investigation into the multi-crore scam to CBI.

Referring to former Minister B Sreeramulu's contention that he and Reddy brothers from Bellary were instrumental in BJP coming to power,Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President G Parameshwara charged: "BJP came to power through money gained by illegal mining".

Pushing for a CBI probe into illegal mining in the State, Parameshwara also referred to the recent Lokayukta report on the issue, and noted that Reddy was among those named in it.

If Reddy and the BJP are confident that he would come clean on the issue, a CBI investigation would settle the issue once and for all, he felt.

He rejected the charge of some senior BJP leaders who saw the Congress hand behind Reddy's arrest and pointed out that CBI always came under the central government and the investigating agency played according to the rule book.

Parameshwara severely criticised the BJP government for not acting on the Lokayukta report submitted on July 27 and said at least notices should have been issued against 787 officials named in it seeking their explanation.

"How can you justify (inaction). Let the process begin", he said, adding, nothing prevented Government from seizing assets of those named in the report, which estimated the loss to the exchequer due to illegal mining between 2006 and 2010 at over Rs 16,000 crore.

On Congress MP, Anil Lad and MLA, V Muniyappa being named in the Lokayukta report, he said they would be removed from the party the moment they are found guilty