Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily today backed Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj for sanctioning prosecution of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa in alleged land scams, stating that charges of corruption and nepotism against the BJP leader were on record.
Moily observed that governor Bhardwaj was within his jurisdiction to take such an action and criticised the BJP for defending corruption. “No one is above the law. Chief ministers don't enjoy immunity," he said while replying to questions about the developments in Karnataka where the ruling BJP has called for a shutdown. Bhardwaj gave his nod for filing criminal case against Yeddyurappa on corruption charges yesterday.
Home Minister P Chidambaram, too, had defended the governor's action.
He took a swipe at BJP president Nitin Gadkari’s statement that the Karnataka chief minister did not commit any "illegal act" in allotment of plots even though denotifying land in favour of his son was “immoral” and "not proper." “The BJP wants to defend corruption, especially the corruption and nepotism of Karnataka chief ,minister,” he said.
Meanwhile, Moily revealed that BJP led NDA government during its rule had not ratified the United Nations Convention against Corruption. The law ministry countered BJP’s allegation that A the UPA government was delaying the ratification of the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). “A group of minister has been formed on this issue. The GoM held meeting recently and the objective is to submit its report within 60 days. Thereafter the cabinet will ratify the UNCAC,” he informed.
He said the government plans to table a separate bill in the parliament in accordance with the UN Convention to firmly deal with the corruption.”