BJP Chief Minister of Karnataka B.S. Yeddyurappa has withdrawn 11 criminal cases against senior leaders of his party. The cases related to violation of model code of conduct and electoral malpractices in the districts of Bellary, Raichur and Uddupy.
The Chief Election Commissioner of Karnataka made a specific reference to Tourism Minister Sri Ramullu, who is close to the infamous Reddy brothers who are running their mining business in Bellary. These brothers influenced BJP government to grant mining licences in violation of government regulations and ignoring environmental norms.
The decision to withdraw the criminal cases was taken by the BJP government despite opposition from the state Director General of Police. The BJP government took cited lack of evidence as ground for withdrawing the criminal cases pending against the 11 senior BJP leaders.
The CEC has objected to the BJP government decision saying that such move will encourage electoral malpractices and violations of the model code of conduct in the future.
The chief minister was criticised severely recently after resignation of the Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde on similar grounds.
Justice Hegde had alleged that the government was reversing decisions taken by him and in the circumstances he was unable to protect an honest officer who was being harassed on behalf of the Reddy brothers.
Recently in a confidential letter to the state Governor Hansraj Bhardwaj, the CEC complained that in July 2009, Karnataka government withdrew 11 cases against senior BJP leaders
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