Mining issue rocks coalition government

For the second time in a week, the fragile JD (S)-coalition arrangement in Karnataka has come under attack with prominent BJP leaders revolting against chief minister H D Kumaraswamy over the transfer of Bellary district superintendent of police (SP), who was probing into unauthorised mining.

On Thursday evening, BJP MLC Janardhan Reddy and Bellary MP Karunakara Reddy, who belong to the Ananthkumar camp of the party, accused Kumaraswamy of transferring Bellary SP Pankaj Kumar Thakur at the behest of a section of the mine owners in return for 'monetary benefit'.

To make matters worse, the media conference was held at tourism minister B Sreemamulu's residence. Sreeramulu represents Bellary in the legislative assembly.

However, Kumaraswamy on Thursday dismissed the allegations as baseless. Though he did not make any direct reference to Ananthkumar, he said the allegations were instigated.

"This development will not make the coalition set up weak. I hope the BJP will take note of these seriously," he stated.

Meanwhile, supporters of deputy chief minister B S Yediyurappa held a marathon meeting on the matter. Their efforts to convince the Reddy brothers to withdraw the allegations were in vain.

A couple of days ago, the coalition partners had clashed over the issue of extending the term of the Lok Ayukta. While the JD (S) intends to appoint a new Lok Ayukta, the BJP is in favour of extending former Lok Ayukta N Venkatachala's term. The issue is yet to be settled.