| Just minutes after Reddy played a CD in Bellary showing blurred images of persons allegedly discussing the bribe issue, the partners of the ruling alliance on Wednesday were a much relieved lot. |
| Reacting to Reddy's comments, deputy chief minister B S Yediyurappa pointed out that the government had been absolved of the charges of bribery. |
| "The CD does not prove anything. The video image appears to be doctored. We have been maintaining right from the beginning that Reddy has nothing to back his allegations. This was a desperate act to discredit us," he told reporters here. |
| Earlier in the day, contrary to expectations, the press conference in Bellary, where Reddy threatened to bare all in support of the graft charges, turned into an anti-climax. |
| Reiterating the charges he made on the floor of the state legislative council on July 19, Reddy said ever since Kumaraswamy came to power, his family members, including brothers H D Balakrishna Gowda and H D Ramesh and sister-in-law Kavitha had forced mine owners to route iron ore through their trading firm "� BSK Trading Company "� and amassed crores of rupees. |
| "Documentary evidence and bank statements of the CM's brothers and sisters-in-law show that they had earned Rs 25 crore to Rs 50 crore in the last four-five months. Property documents of Kavitha and transfer of funds from her bank accounts to an account operated by Kumaraswamy and his wife (Anitha) for business operations confirm my charges that the CM's family is involved in mining," Reddy said, waving a photocopy of the bank accounts and property documents. |
| Reddy claimed he would come out with the main evidence against Kumaraswamy and Karnataka forest minister Chennigappa in the coming days to expose their direct involvement in extorting about Rs 150 crore from powerful mine owners, allegedly involved in illegal mining of iron ore. |
Top Section
Explore Business Standard