The BJP and the opposition parties look forward to the final report on illegal mining, to be submitted by July 20. Some even hope to be ministers once those indicted by Lok Ayukta go.
There is much anticipation as Lok Ayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde is set to submit a final report on illegal mining in the state to the government by July 20.
The report is likely to create a political storm, as politicians are expected to figure in the list of defaulters. Political parties are looking forward to milking this report — if the Lok Ayukta report names opposition leaders, the ruling BJP will gain the upper hand; if the report nails the ruling party, the Congress and the JD(S) would use it to the hilt to dislodge the government.
Sources in the Lok Ayukta office said that the report submitted by the Karwar deputy conservator of forests, Gokul, on the 4,65,078 tonnes of iron ore missing from Belekeri port, is being closely examined. The final report is nearly ready, and the Lok Ayukta office will be engaged in giving it finishing touches this weekend. The report could be over 10,000 pages long.
The Lok Ayukta report is likely to contain names of politicians cutting across parties. There is the possibility of leaders losing their positions. Once the report is submitted, two or three ministers are likely to lose their jobs, so even those aspiring for cabinet berths have a stake in it.
State BJP chief KS Eshwarappa said, “Like all political parties, we have been waiting for the final report of the Lok Ayukta on illegal mining. Once that report comes out, being a ruling party, we will have to act upon it, especially if it names ministers or MLAs. We will definitely take action. But I have hopes that the report will be in our favour, as the illegal mining happened during the regime of the Congress and the JD(S). Illegal mining is their sin.”
G Parameshwar, chairman of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), said, “We have been demanding a CBI enquiry into the illegal mining issue. But the state has rejected our demand and ordered a Lok Ayukta probe. Let the report come, the truth will soon out. We do hope that the Lok Ayukta is able to nail all those involved illegal mining.”
YSV Datta, spokesperson for the JD(S), said, “If the Lok Ayukta
offers any findings on the missing iron ore from Belekeri port, and illegal mining over the past three years, chief minister BS Yeddyurappa will be held responsible. He has held the mining portfolio.”
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