Political developments in the State after Lokayukta N Santosh Hegde submitted his report on illegal mining to the Government have sullied the image of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), according to some senior leaders of the party here.
Embarrassment
The leaders told The Hindu that the BJP, which broke into the citadel of the Congress and established itself in the coastal region, faced embarrassment now.
The “mining scam” had pained many workers and leaders, who built the party in the region, as an alternative to the Congress. Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa should have resigned with the report indicting him, they said.
Compromise
A leader said that in reality, the BJP was managing a coalition Government in the State after it inducted “outsiders” and made them ministers and chairpersons of boards and corporations. With this, the BJP compromised with its principles.
The leaders said that it was too early to predict if the political developments would hit the party in the next Assembly elections.
The former MLA K. Rama Bhat of the BJP from Puttur alleged that Mr. Yeddyurappa's “craving for power at any cost and by going to any extent” had boomeranged on him.
Remarkable work
Mr. Bhat said that Mr. Hegde deserved all kudos for his investigation. He had done a remarkable work. Now criminal cases should be booked against those who caused losses to the State exchequer.
The losses should be recovered from them and they should be punished, Mr. Bhat said.
He alleged that except L.K. Advani, other central leaders of the BJP had been protecting Mr. Yeddyurappa indirectly.
The party high command should have nipped the corruption in the Government in its bud, he said.
Mr. Bhat, a two-time MLA, said that the BJP was no longer a party with a difference. B. Ramanatha Rai, president, Dakshina Kannada Congress Committee and five-time MLA, said: “Mr. Yeddyurappa should be sent to the place where the former Chief Minister of Jharkhand Madhu Koda was sent in money-laundering and mining scam cases.''
No former chief ministers had tarnished the image of the State as Mr. Yeddyurappa, he alleged.
B. Madhava, secretary, district unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), said that Mr. Yeddyurappa should step down if he believed in principles and values.
Sangh Pariwar
M.G. Hegde, spokesperson, district unit of the Janata Dal (Secular), said Mr. Yeddyurappa should resign immediately.
The Sangh Pariwar was equally responsible for the present state of affairs in the State, he added.
