Congress legislators disrupt Karnataka assembly over illegal mining

BANGALORE - Congress legislators in Karnataka on Monday halted the assembly proceedings over the issue of illegal mining of iron ore, in which two state cabinet ministers have been charged.

The legislators arrived at the assembly wearing mining helmets for a sit-in protest. They chanted slogans and disrupted the proceedings of the assembly after which they were evicted, and the assembly abruptly adjourned.

The protest by the opposition parties in the well of the House continued after an unusual joint meeting of the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) parties.

The Congress and the JD (S) are demanding a CBI probe into the illegal iron ore mining in the state while state chief B S Yeddyurappa is against the CBI probe.

Janardhan Reddy and Karunakara Reddy, who are cabinet ministers for Infrastructure and Revenue respectively in the Karnataka Government, have been accused of misusing their public office to protect and promote the interests of their mining empire.

Meanwhile, Speaker K G Bopaiah also called the opposition legislators and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for a meeting in a bid to resolve the crisis.

A recent Lokayukta (anti-government corruption organisation) report on illegal mining has provided enough fodder for the opposition to take on the ruling party in the state.

The illegal export of iron ore from Karnataka reached alarming proportions in the last seven years. (ANI)