Naidu seeks probe against Karnataka minister's firm

Hyderabad, Nov 19 : Andhra Pradesh's main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Thursday demanded a multi-disciplinary probe into alleged irregularities by the Obulapuram Mining Corporation (OMC) owned by Karnataka Tourism Minister G. Janardhana Reddy.

TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu said a comprehensive probe alone could "expose the mafia with political, economic and muscle power" and its nexus with the family of the late Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, popularly known as YSR.

Dissatisfied with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry ordered by Chief Minister K. Rosaiah two days ago, Naidu said the government should stop mining in Anantapur district, where the company operates, suspend all mining leases, confiscate iron ore and keep all relevant files with the assembly speaker to prevent tampering.

Naidu told reporters that OMC was not only involved in illegal mining in both Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka but had also violated FERA (foreign exchange regulation act) as well as laws relating to mining, forests and environment. OMC had evaded taxes too, he added.

Naidu also alleged that OMC pumped ill-gotten money into Jagati Publications owned by YSR's son Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy through front companies like Red Gold.

Naidu, who plans to launch a political battle on the issue, said the mining mafia had become a threat to democracy as evident from the blackmailing of BJP government in Karnataka.

"While BJP surrendered to Janardhana Reddy to save its government in Karnataka, the Congress party is in a tricky situation. The Congress party in Karnataka is fighting him while the ruling party in Andhra Pradesh is supporting him," he said.

Naidu, who has already held talks with the Left parties and others on the issue, plans to invite the BJP and the Congress to join them in the fight.

"He (Janardhana Reddy) has the guts to file a contempt of court case against me and to threaten me that I will never be able to win the elections," the TDP chief said.

He alleged that Janardhana Reddy was nothing in 2004 but became powerful with the support of then YSR government and earned Rs.10,000 crore by indulging in irregularities.

"He has become so powerful that the Survey of India is unable to conduct the survey in the mining area to define the boundaries. Officials can't enter his mining area and those who dare to question him are being suspended or transferred in both the states," he said.

Naidu denied that he was taking up the issue now as Janardhana Reddy had become vulnerable following the death of YSR and said he had been raising the issue for five years.

Janardhana Reddy, who recently led a revolt against Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, is a member of Karnataka legislative council while his elder brother Karunakara Reddy is an assembly member and revenue minister. Their third sibling G. Somasekhara Reddy is also a member of the assembly.

Their parents hail from Andhra Pradesh but they made Karnataka's iron ore rich district of Bellary bordering Andhra Pradesh their home.