Governor criticises Karnataka for ignoring tax evasion, money laundering

BANGALORE: The BJP government in Karnataka on Wednesday got an earful from governor HR Bhardwaj about how tone-deaf it has been on charges of corruption.

In a stinging criticism of the government, the governor said money laundering and tax evasion was allowed to take place in the state.

“Now it is in the public domain. Money laundering and tax evasion are happening openly. I have been writing about it,” Mr Bhardwaj told reporters here. His remarks came in response to a query on alleged tax evasion by ministers and mining magnates Janardhana and Karunakara Reddy, following Congress charge that Obulapuram Mining Company owned by them and their associate, health minister B Sriramulu, evaded tax of more than Rs 86 crore.

On a private complaint submitted to him by two city-based advocates on Tuesday seeking his sanction to prosecute chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, his two sons and cabinet colleagues under the Anti-Corruption Act, Mr Bhardwaj said: “It is big volume of papers. It is nearly 2,000 pages of documents. I have to study it. I have to read through it.”

On Mr Yeddyurappa’s statement that he would meet the governor once in 15 days and take his suggestions, Mr Bhardwaj said: “I have come to know about it through the media. I welcome his statement. Whenever he meets me, we will discuss whatever he wants to.”

The governor also defended his public criticism against the government during his interaction with the media. “I have been doing my work. I have been in politics for long. I will not break law and norms. I am the head of the state and I will respect institutions as long as I am here. I will not allow violation of the Constitution,” he said.

Mr Bhardwaj has been making relentless attacks on the BJP government almost on all major issues, incurring the wrath of the ruling party.