Congress slams BJP for criticizing Lokayukta

BANGALORE: Opposition Congress leader Siddaramaiah has condemned the mudslinging by the government against Lokayukta Justice Santhosh Hegde, who has found Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and four of his ministers guilty in the illegal iron ore mining scam.Criticising the statement made by Excise Minister M P  Renukacharya on the Lokayukta on Saturday that Justice Hegde acted at the behest of the Congress and the JD(S) and indicted the CM and the Reddy brothers, Siddaramaiah told Express: “It exhibits the fascist nature of the CM and his Cabinet.” He said the state Congress earlier demanded a CBI inquiry into the illegal mining scam, which had caused huge losses to the state exchequer, not to mention the irreparable damage to the environment in Bellary and other districts.“Rejecting the demand, the government referred the issue to the Lokayukta to probe the charges, and now it started targeting Justice Hegde after finding the report unfavourable. And it is ridiculous,” he said.The attitude of the government illustrated its contempt to all democratically and constitutionally created institutions, he said. “It seems the BJP does not have faith in any democratically created institutions, which is dangerous for the democracy itself.” He added, “If the Lokayukta has erred, the aggrieved party has to only approach the judiciary.”