Congress avoids commenting on CBI raids against Yeddyurappa

Congress Party on Wednesday refused to comment on the raids being conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa in connection with illegal mining, and termed the whole episode to be a process of law.

"The CBI is doing its own work. It would not be appropriate for us to make comments of any kind on this matter. This is a process of law and we should let them do their work," said Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi.

""The Bharatiya Janata Party is not only troubled with the internal groups, but also with the corruption of its leaders. I have told this earlier also that the Bharatiya Janata Party needs to self-examine itself at the moment. It would be appropriate for the Bharatiya Janata Party to self-inspect itself," he added, when asked to comment on Yeddyurappa's warning to the BJP leadership.

To a poser that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) always raises suspicion on the movement of the CBI, saying it acts very slow in cases such as the 2G scam and the CWG scam, while is very fast in matters involving the opposition, Alvi said: "The CBI is an independent agency and works with sincerity. NDA had been in power for six years and knows about this. When the question arises of BJP's corruption then they level these kinds of allegations."

The CBI officials today conducted simultaneous raids at Yeddyurappa's residences in Bangalore and in some other places in Karnataka.

The raids come in the wake of the CBI registering a case against Yeddyurappa and others following a Supreme Court directive.

The Supreme Court had earlier on May 11 directed a CBI probe against Yeddyurappa for allegedly granting undue favours to firms involved in illegal mining in lieu of donations to a charitable trust run by his kin.

Yeddyurappa had then welcomed the Supreme Court order, and expressed confidence that he would be exonerated of all the charges.

"I am not worried. Even today I am travelling around the state everyday and doing my work. I respect the court's order and I welcome the CBI investigation. I had asked a full investigation of what I have done during my chief ministership. Santosh Hegde was supposed to the investigation, but instead of doing complete investigation, he just leveled allegations against me. I am sure I will get justice," he had said.

Yeddyurappa further said the truth would come out following the CBI investigation.

"The observations made by the CEC have been upheld by the Supreme Court and they have referred matter to CBI. It's only in the inquiry stage. We have seen cases of sanction orders and other things what has happened. It has been struck down by high court," said Yeddyurappa.

"I hope that by just passing an order of inquiry does not mean that everything is over. I hope that it will come out very quickly and certainly CBI will investigate the matter and truth will come out," he had added.

When asked to comment on Yeddyurappa's warning to the BJP central leadership, Alvi said: "The Bharatiya Janata Party is not only troubled with the internal groups, but also with the corruption of its leaders. I have told this earlier also that the Bharatiya Janata Party needs to self-examine itself at the moment. It would be appropriate for the Bharatiya Janata Party to self-inspect itself."

Yeddyurappa had earlier on Monday blamed Chief Minister Sadananada Gowda and party general secretary Ananth Kumar for the present political turmoil in the state, and claimed to have the support of 70 MLAs.

Yeddyurappa also alleged that Members of the Legislative Assembly who are close to him are being targeted. He also announced that he had deferred taking a decision on resigning from the party and the Assembly.

Yeddyurappa was forced to quit from his post of state chief after the Lokayukta report indicted him in the illegal mining scam and also for his alleged role in irregularities in allotment of prime land to his own kith and kin. (ANI)