Bengaluru: Tapal Ganesh, who played a key role in exposing Janardhana Reddy and others’ mining scam in Bellari district, on Monday joined Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Tapal Ganesh and AAP leaders have decided to launch an awareness programme from Bellari this month end.
Speaking with media persons, Prithvi Reddy, state convener, AAP Karnataka, said the people of Karnataka aware about Janardhana Reddy’s involvement in the mining scam. “Janardhan Reddy, who was not an income tax payee until 2004, had used political connections to plunder natural resources of iron ore in Karnataka and amassed thousands of crores and is on bail in various cases being investigated by the CBI,’’ Prithvi Reddy said.
Coming down heavily on BJP leaders for attending the wedding of Janardhana Reddy’s daughter, Reddy said the BJP Central leadership was busy in appreciating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s demonetization plan but state BJP leaders have attended the lavish wedding held at Bengaluru Palace Grounds. “We want to question the source of money spent for the wedding. We are all aware that Janardhana Reddy’s assets were frozen. The authorities concerned failed to find the source of money spent for the wedding,’’ he said.
Criticising the Income Tax authorities for conducting raids late, the AAP leader said the Income Tax authorities have raided the residence and offices of Janaradhana Reddy after all money was spent on the wedding of latter’s daughter. “At a time when hundreds of weddings are being postponed across the country due to Modi Sarkar’s scam of demonetization, Janardhan Reddy flaunts more than Rs 500 crores of ill-gotten money for the wedding of his daughter. Where did Mr Reddy get the money if his accounts were frozen? Has demonetization affected Janardhan Reddy, who is infamous for illegal Iron Ore mining that looted the natural resources of our state and country?,’’ he asked.
