Denotification issue: BJP to launch state-wide protests

BANGALORE: Seeking to step up pressure, BJP will launch state-wide protests from August 7 to press its demand for a CBI probe into charges of corruption in the denotification of 541 acres in Arkavati layout by the Siddaramaiah government.

Karnataka BJP president Prahlad Joshi told reporters that the denotification issue that rocked the Legislative Assembly would be brought to the notice of the party's central leadership, including national president Amit Shah at the party's National Council meeting in Delhi on August 9.

With the BJP gunning for him, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had yesterday announced a judicial inquiry into what the BJP alleged was a " scam" of Rs 1,000 crore. The party did not accept judicial probe and is insisting on a CBI inquiry.

Reacting to the Assembly House Committee's probe into the purchase of power from 2005 to 2013 (mostly covering BJP rule), Joshi said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is indulging in vindictive politics.

"This decision comes soon after (former Chief Minister) Jagadish Shettar exposed Siddaramaiah by producing a document which showed Chief Minister's approval for denotification of land in Arkavati Layout (being developed by Bangalore Development Authority). This amounts to vindictive politics," he said.

There is no objection from BJP to face the House Committee probe into power purchase scam, but the government by not ordering probe from past 15 years has only given the impression of indulging in vindictive politics, Joshi said.

Joshi added the BJP is not afraid of Siddaramaiah's vindictive politics and demanded CBI probe into denotification issue.