Mining case against Krishna in Karnataka politically motivated, says Congress

Bangalore, Dec 10(ANI): The Congress party today said that the illegal mining case against External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna is politically motivated.

The Lokayukta Police of Karnataka filed cases against Krishna and two other former Karnataka chiefs minister after it was discovered that they were abetting illegal mining during their tenure.

Krishna, who was the Karnataka chief minister from 1999 to 2004, and his successors Dharam Singh and H.D. Kumaraswamy have been accused facilitating such illegal activities till 2008.

B.K. Chandrashekar, vice-chief of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, said petitioner T. J. Abraham had unsuccessfully contested 2004 elections against the party.

"The investigation, that they are supposed to undertake now against a decision made in 2003, is pure and simple politically motivated complaint, nothing else. The gentleman, who has filed the complaint, was a candidate in 2004 elections," Chandrashekar told reporters in Bangalore.

He said Krishna was not guilty as decision to unlock the mineral resources in 2003 was taken by the then Karnataka cabinet following due procedures.

"He is not guilty of anything. It is a policy issue. It is a governance issue, decided by the cabinet and duly notified the government's gazette. It was open. It is not an individual scam that anybody is complaining about. It is not a specific scam in the name of S.M. Krishna," added Chandrashekar.

A few months ago, former Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde had accused then chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and several other key officials in the mining graft that cost the state exchequer losses worth at least rupees 160 billion between 2006 and 2010.

Yeddyurappa was forced to resign from the post by BJP. (ANI)