Reddy brothers are clean: BSY

The options being talked about include changing the portfolios of the Reddy brothers or downsizing their presence in the state Cabinet. After meeting Swaraj,Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa,however,asserted that the Reddy brothers were in no way responsible for illegal mining and they need not resign.

L K Advani had on Saturday stressed that the image of the party in Karnataka — its first and only government in the south — was the priority. Sources said the view is being shared by many leaders.

Yeddyurappa said his government was ready for a thorough probe by the Lok Ayukta into all cases of illegal mining issue since 2002-03. Giving a clean chit to Janardhan and Karunakar Reddy,he said there was no proof against the brothers and hence the question of taking action against them did not arise.

“101 per cent. There is no charge against them. There is no evidence against them. Let them (Opposition) approach the high court,” Yeddyurappa said when asked if he

was giving a clean chit to the Reddy brothers.”

“There is no proof,” he added.

Janardhan Reddy is expected to meet the media on Monday.

Sources close to the Reddy brothers said they are expected to make some disclosures. “The Reddy brothers are going to clarify their stand and how the Congress and JD(S) are targeting them unnecessarily without documents or any charges,” Yeddyurappa said.

Yeddyurappa would write to Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hegde on Monday to investigate all cases of illegal mining from 2002-03 till date.