Sons of Siddaramaiah, other ministers part of sand mafia: HDK

Mysuru, Mar 29: Former chief minister and JD(S) party State unit president H D Kumaraswamy, on Monday, condemned the attack on police personnel by the members of sand mafia, near Kupparavalli in Nanjangud taluk on Sunday, and alleged that the State government was backing the culprits.

Addressing reporters, during his visit to the city, Kumaraswamy asked, “Why the police have not filed a FIR against the culprits, even after 24 hours of the attack? The State government is safeguarding the sand mafia, instead of the officials. The officials are losing self-confidence due to the negligence of the government,” he said.

He alleged, “Sons of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other ministers from the district are involved in the sand mafia. Illegal sand is being transported to Kerala. With increased attacks on officials, who try to check illegal sand transportation, the State is under the threat of turning into a Jungle State' like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh,” he said.

No support to ACB'

Speaking about the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Kumaraswamy said, he never supported creation of the bureau in the State. “If JD(S) comes to power, the bureau will be banned within 24 hours. I am confident that the JD(S) will come to power in the next Assembly elections,” he said.

“In an attempt to protect corruption, the State government is trying to weaken Lokayukta, by creating the ACB. I could not attend the session, in which creation of the ACB was tabled, due to health issues. I am not playing double standards in this regard,” Kumaraswamy clarified.

He said, even though he?has three charges against him in Lokayukta, he will not allow weakening of the institution for people's welfare, he said.