Cong seeks EC's intervention in case against ministers

The Karnataka Unit of Congress today sought intervention of electoral authorities in directing the BJP government not to withdraw criminal cases against three ministers of Bellary which were filed against them during last year assembly polls and the recent Lok Sabha polls. BJP government led by chief minister B S Yeddyurappa last month took a decision to withdraw some cases filed against ministers— G Janardhana Reddy, G Karunakara Reddy and B Sreeramulu, all mines owners of Bellary.

“The decision of the state government is neither based on good faith nor in public interest.For political reasons,the government has taken a decision to withdraw cases and issued orders to that effect,” Congress said in a memorandum addressed to Chief Election Commissioner Naveen Chawla.

A delegation led by KPCC president R V Deshpande today handed over the memorandum to the state’s Chief Electoral Officer C S Suranjana and urged the Commission to also consider legal intervention to stop withdrawal of cases. Deshpande accompanied by leader of Opposition in Upper House V S Ugrappa also asked the commission to take steps to conduct free and fair elections in the August 18 bye-elections to five assembly constituencies and sought transfer of two police officials in Govindarajanagar constituency where Housing minister V Somanna is seeking re-election on BJP ticket. Sommanna had resigned from Congress and joined BJP, quitting his assembly membership.

Subsequently he was inducted as minister.