The report of Karnataka lokayukta Santosh Hegde on illegal mining in Karnataka, expected in a few days from now, is reported to have indicted state chief minister BS Yeddyurappa and four other Karnataka ministers, said TV channel Times Now.
According to the channel, the report - to be submitted by the weekend - has indicted Yeddyurappa on two counts. It has accused the CM of getting money from companies for a trust run by his family and also held him responsible for letting the controversial Reddy brothers continue as ministers despite the charges against them.
Two of the Reddy brothers - tourism and infrastructure minister Janaradana Reddy and revenue minister Karunakar Reddy - besides their close associate, state health minister B Sriramulu, are also reportedly named in the document.
The BJP may now may have to face the heat over the report as Parliament meets for the monsoon session days from now. Observers feel this may blunt the party's attack on the government and it may find itself in the dock over the reported indictment of its first southern government.
At the same time, while the BJP has been formally backing the Anna Hazare movement from the sidelines hoping to be the default beneficiary of any embarrassment that comes the government's way, the fact that the Karnataka lokayukta was part of the joint committee on lokpal as a member of the Hazare team may make it difficult for the BJP to continue its carefully crafted strategy without embarrassing itself in the bargain.
{{/usCountry}}At the same time, while the BJP has been formally backing the Anna Hazare movement from the sidelines hoping to be the default beneficiary of any embarrassment that comes the government's way, the fact that the Karnataka lokayukta was part of the joint committee on lokpal as a member of the Hazare team may make it difficult for the BJP to continue its carefully crafted strategy without embarrassing itself in the bargain.
{{/usCountry}}The report is also likely to once again raise the clamour for Yeddyurappa's ouster, and the BJP would have to once again take a call on his continuation.