Karnataka: Lokayukta indicts BS Yeddyurappa

New Delhi - 21 July 2011: Another minefield of trouble for Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. The Karnataka Lokayukta's report on illegal mining, leaked first and now confirmed by Justice N Santosh Hegde suggests that the Chief Minister's family is directly involved with the mining mafia.

Hegde also dropped a bombshell saying that his telephone is being tapped. Even though he refused to authenticate the report, his statement left no doubt in the minds of the people about the genuineness of it.

Will this finally force embattled Karnataka Chief Minister to quit or will the life be as usual for him? Political leaders from the ruling BJP to its arch rival JDS reacted nervously. BJP state leaders defended the chief minister who is away in Maritius on a personal visit.

The report has also indicted Yeddyurappa's arch rival and JDS state chief HD Kumaraswamy. Kumaraswamy who has tried every trick in the book to force chief minister's resignation in the past, denied all charges.

The JDS chief said, "CM must resign. I will also resign from Lok Sabha."

The Lokayukta report is just an investigative report and it will be a long drawn battle for the Lokayukta to force the government to accept his recommendations.

The best news for the government is Justice Hegde is retiring after 10 days and it might take some steam off the fresh controversy. But the Opposition will not let go the last chance to trap Yeddyurappa.

source: CNN-IBN