Bangalore: Karnataka Minister and mining
magnate G Janardhan Reddy has denied his involvement in the
assault on mine owner Tapal Ganesh and his associates in
Bellary today and alleged it was a political conspiracy to
tarnish his image.
In a statement here, Reddy, the tourism and
Infrastructure Development minister, said he saw a
"conspiracy" by his political opponents, particularly those
associated with the Congress party. "It has been done to
tarnish my image," he said.
"The context, timing and the way in which the assault was
carried out only strengthens my doubt that it was done to
prejudice the central survey team which has been camping in
Bellary to demarcate territories of different mines owned by
me and others," Reddy said.
Perhaps, the conspirators also wanted to create an
impression that the law and order situation had deteriorated
in Karnataka, he said.
To a query, he said the chances of so called victim`s
hand in the conspiracy could not be ruled out.
Meanwhile, KPCC President R V Deshpande today blamed
Reddy for the attack and demanded that the government
immediately transfer District Superintendent of Police Seemant
Kumar Singh.
He also demanded that the government render protection to
the family of Ganesh, conduct an impartial inquiry into the
attack and bring the culprits to book.
PTI
