Bangalore, Sep 20 (IANS) A BJP delegation Friday met Karnataka Governor H. R. Bhardwaj here to demanded dismissal of mining baron and state Information Minister Santosh Lad for his alleged involvement in illegal iron ore mining and export.
“We have submitted a memorandum and documents on Santosh Lad’s involvement and urged the governor to sack him from the ministry immediately,” former chief minister D. V. Sadananda Gowda told reporters outside Raj Bhavan after the meeting.
The Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) leader said the Lokayukta report on illegal iron ore mining scam submitted in 2011 has named V.S. Lad and Company, of which Santosh Lad is partner, as one of the entities involved in illegal iron ore mining and export.
“We will continue our agitation till Santosh Lad is sacked from the ministry,” Gowda said.
The delegation was led by state BJP president Pralhad Joshi and included former chief minister Jagadish Shettar, party general secretary and Bangalore South MP H. N. Ananthakumar and several former BJP ministers.
Santosh Lad has denied the allegations.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, however, rejected the BJP demand and told reporters in Bangalore that there was no evidence of Santosh Lad’s involvement.
“Will take action if the allegations are proved,” he said.