DNA reported that all lobbying by the Reddy brothers of Bellary for earning a berth in the ministry is certain to remain a futile exercise if chief minister Mr DV Sadananda Gowda has his way.

Participating in a ‘Meet the Press’ program organised by Bangalore Reporters’ Guild and Press Club of Bangalore, Mr Gowda ruled out the possibility of inducting any tainted former ministers into his cabinet.

Thus the chief minister sent a clear message that Mr Janardhana Reddy and Mr Karunakara Reddy, who have been indicted by the Lokayukta in illegal mining, have no chance of entering the ministry.

However, Mr Gowda defended his decision to induct V Somanna into the ministry by stating that Somanna was not indicted in the report. The report has a mention about Somanna’s son and not Somanna himself. Somanna was inducted in the ministry only after consulting the law department.

The chief minister said that “A committee headed by additional chief secretary Mr K Jairaj has been constituted to study the report. Appropriate action will be taken after it submits its report. Over 700 officials have been indicted in the report. We will consider all aspects of the report before acting on it.”

(Sourced from DNA)