Money laundering, tax evasion happening openly: HR Bhardwaj

Firing a fresh salvo against the BJP government in Karnataka, governor HR Bhardwaj today said money laundering and tax evasion was happening "openly in the state".

"Now it is in the public domain. Openly money laundering is happening. Tax evasion is also happening. I have been writing about it," Bhardwaj, who often comes in conflict with the ruling BJP told reporters in Karnataka.

His remarks came in response to a query on alleged tax evasion by ministers and mining magnates Janardhana and Karunakara Reddy, following Congress charge that Obulapuram Mining company owned by them and their associate health minister B Sriramulu, evaded tax of more than Rs86 crore.

On a private complaint submitted to him by two city-based advocates yesterday, seeking his sanction to prosecute chief minister BS Yeddyurappa, his two sons and cabinet colleagues under the Anti-Corruption Act, Bhardwaj said "it is big volume of papers. It is nearly 2,000 pages of documents. I have to study it. I have to read through it".

On Yeddyurappa softening his stance about him and stating that he would meet him once in 15 days and take his suggestions, Bhardwaj smiled and said "I have come to know about it through the media. I welcome his statement. Whenever he meets me, we will discuss whatever he wants to".

To Yeddyurappa's statement that he would meet him on December 31 and invite him to address the joint session of the State Legislature commencing on January six, Bhardwaj said "this is my constitutional duty. Whenever a joint session is called, governor is bound to address it. I will do it".

"I have been doing my work firmly. You know I have been long in politics. I will not break law and norms. I am the head of the state and part of the Assembly. I will respect institutions as long as I am here. I will not allow violation of constitution and aberration of the rule of law. I have been enough as a minister. I have always been transparent and intend to continue like that", he said.

Earlier describing Karnataka as a "beautiful state with beautiful people" at the World Urdu Conference, he said "There is no problem here (Karnataka) except the problem of ruling".

Bhardwaj has been making relentless attacks on the BJP government almost on all major issues, incurring the wrath of the ruling party which has dubbed him a Congress agent and one who is behaving like an opposition leader.