Congress demands probe into mining lobby, BJP ‘nexus’

NEW DELHI - Alleging a nexus between the mining lobby and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in Karnataka, the Congress Friday sought a probe into the matter and said the state government should take steps to persuade Justice N. Santosh Hegde to continue as the state’s Lok Ayukta (Ombudsman).

“A person of highest integrity and stature, Justice Santosh Hegde has expressed his grief and unwillingness to continue as Lok Ayukta in Karnataka due to the obstruction of justice and uncooperative attitude of the state government. We demand there should be a probe into the nexus between the mining lobby and BJP leaders at various levels,” Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan said.

She said Hegde, who has been a crusader against corruption and has won the respect of all sections for his tremendous contribution as ombudsman, cited several instances, in particular the suspension of an honest officer who exposed the theft of iron ore belonging to the state worth over Rs.250 crore.

Hegde had resigned Wednesday citing BJP government’s callous attitude towards corruption.

Natarajan said it was shocking that Karnataka government “in violation of all propriety, was penalising honest officers and protecting and re-instating corrupt officers”.

She said that the state government should immediately take steps to persuade to reconsider his decision to resign.

Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa said Thursday that his government will not persuade Hegde to stay on as the Lok Ayukta. He said that the government was thankful for Hegde’s work but would not embarrass him by asking him to reconsider his decision.