Karnataka's special 'scam' session

Bangalore: It is a season of scams once again in Karnataka. This time, in the dock is the Chief Minister himself. And his response to the Opposition attack? A special session of the assembly that will exclusively discuss scams.

"It is not good that such type of issues should be raised in the roads or streets. The leaders from the Congress party have gone on padyatra to highlight the issue of illegal mining. My duty is to now tell the people about the transparency of my administration," said BS Yeddyurappa, Chief Minister, Karnataka.

Yeddyurappa has been accused of denotifying government land, which is normally not on sale, so that his sons and son-in-law could acquire prime property in Bangalore, and the Opposition is not willing to ignore it.

"Many governments, many chief ministers have denotified, but here denotification is done at the behest of the family members. They don't have any other option except to morally resign or the governor should dismiss them," said D K Shivakumar, Opposition leader, Congress.

Yeddyurappa's colleague, Information Technology Minister Katta Subrahmanya Naidu has been accused of holding back compensation for land acquired by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board. Also, Katta's corporator son Jagadish Naidu was arrested by the Lok Ayukta last week, while allegedly trying to bribe a witness in the case.

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Naidu says it is all a conspiracy.

"Once again I am telling you, there is a conspiracy to tarnish my image, and my growth in politics. At the appropriate time, I will give evidence," said Katta Subramanya Naidu, IT Minister, Karnataka.

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Yeddyurappa hopes, announcing this special scam session, slotted tentatively in the first week of November, will silence the Opposition at least till then.