Reddy's alleged illegal mining activities damaged Karnataka's reputation as a strong economy and weakened the erstwhile Yeddyurappa-led government, Congress leader Siddaramaiah said.
Attacking the BJP on illegal mining issue, Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka Assembly Siddaramaiah today said it was the turn of former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa to go to jail after mining baron and former minister G Janardhana Reddy.
Delivering the valedictory address of the month-long 'Congress walk to the people' to highlight the 'ill-deeds' of BJP rule, Siddaramaiah said that those involved in illegal mining should be jailed.
Reddy's alleged illegal mining activities damaged Karnataka's reputation as a strong economy and weakened the erstwhile Yeddyurappa-led government, he charged.
"Illegal mining activities brought Rs20,000 crore loss to government's exchequer ... this amount would have been enough to complete Almatti irrigation works," Siddaramaiah added.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President G Parameshwar alleged that Yeddyurappa and another former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, both facing charges of illegal mining, had brought shame to the state.
"These two former chief ministers have brought shame to the state, which was once dubbed as a model state when Congress was in power," Parameshwar said.
Accusing the central and state BJP leaders of being hand in glove with Reddy, he said they were now trying to wash off their hands by disowning him.
Parameshwar also accused the BJP Government of putting the Lokayukta's report on illegal mining report in 'cold storage' and demanded a CBI probe into illegal mining.
Siddaramaih brushed aside the allegations that Congress was responsible for Reddy's arrest. "CBI is an independent investigative agency and Reddy was put behind bars for his mistakes," he said.
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