BJP reviving Rs 1.5 billion bribe charge against former CM

The Rs 1.5 billion bribe charge pending against former Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy appears set to be revived with the BJP Government in Karnataka threatening to initiate a probe into the matter.

Soon after Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said the Government may even order an inquiry to ascertain the facts relating to the charge that the former Chief Minister had accepted bribes from the mine owners in Bellary, BJP’s Tourism Minister Janardhan Reddy sharpened his offensive against Kumaraswamy.

Reddy, who had kicked off of political storm during the erstwhile JD (S)-BJP coalition rule in the Karnataka by leveling the bribery allegations, said “Kumaraswamy and his family would go behind the bars” once the probe into the matter is over.

Claiming that his allegations against Kumaraswamy were “true”, Reddy said the petition filed against the former Chief Minister was pending in the Supreme Court and is likely to come up for hearing soon.

Kumaraswamy’s statement welcoming the Government’s move to order a probe against the bribery charges was mocked by Reddy. “When I levelled the charges against Kumaraswamy, he was the Chief Minister. He did not order a CBI probe though I demanded it. Now, he welcomes a probe”, Reddy said poking fun at Kumaraswamy.

It may be mentioned here that Kumaraswamy had ordered the setting up of an inquiry commission into the bribery charges. But, the Commission headed by U L Bhat was wound up a couple of months later after the Judge said the Government had failed to provide supporting staff and other facilities.