The war of nerves in state politics over illegal mining is taking a curious turn as chief minister BS Yeddyurappa on Saturday stated he would not allow illegal mining in the state, even if it means losing his seat.
Yeddyurappa, who launched a slew of development works at Nagavalli in Tumkur district on Saturday, reiterated his commitment to put an end to illegal mining.
He stated that illegal mining had been going on for the past 10 to 12 years in the state and it was only his government that had shown its commitment to stop it, and added that earlier governments had turned a blind eye to the issue.
Citing his recent meeting with prime minister Manmohan Singh to demand a national ban on the export of any mineral ore and making value additions to minerals compulsory for issuing mining licenses, Yeddyurappa said, “The PM has shown interest to set up a Mining Control Authority to regulate mining. This is a victory for our sustained endeavour to stop illegal mining.”
Making an indirect reference to the ongoing behind-the-scenes tussle between him and the Bellary trio of Janardhana Reddy, Karunakara Reddy and Sriramulu over padayatra politics in Bellary, Yeddyurappa said, “I have a dream to turn Karnataka into a model state for the entire country. I request everyone to allow me to see out my term of three more years and complete my mission.”
Meanwhile, transport minister R Ashok and JD(S) state president HD Kumaraswamy denied reports of the BJP striking a
partnership with JD(S) to form an alternative government in the event of Yeddyurappa dropping Sriramulu or the Reddy brothers from the ministry and the upheavals it could cause for the present BJP government.
“No BJP leader has spoken to me in this regard and the media reports to this effect are not correct. Our fight is not just against the Reddy brothers. We are opposed to the BJP government as a whole and there is no change in our stand,” Kumaraswamy said on Saturday.
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