Moily defends Bharadwaj, says BJP protecting corruption

MUMBAI: Backing Karnataka Governor H R Bharadwaj to the hilt for sanctioning prosecution of Chief Minister B S Yeddyruppa in alleged land scams, Law Minister M Veerappa Moily today said by opposing it BJP is defending corruption.

Moily said the Governor had full authority to sanction prosecution of the Chief Minister who is not above the law and does not enjoy immunity.

"Everyone is equal before law....the Chief Minister does not enjoy immunity (from prosecution). Everything is on record about corruption and nepotism (of Yeddyurappa government) and even BJP had asked him to quit," he told reporters.

"BJP is defending corruption. Going to streets over this issue will mean that BJP is defending corruption," Moily, a former Karnataka Chief Minister, said.

The Law Minister said the UPA government was transparent about the 2G spectrum scam and the report of Justice Shivraj Patil Committee was likely to be submitted by month-end.

On Opposition's demand for disclosing the names of Indians who had stashed away their ill-gotten wealth in tax havens, the Law Minister said, "There are certain treaties between countries and we are bound by the terms of those treaties and hence there cannot be disclosures."