Fresh mining charges emerge against HDK

BANGALORE: Continuing his diatribe against former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa’s political secretary B J Puttaswamy alleged that the state JD (S) chief had approved mining leases for 22 companies and also denotified 48 acres of land, days before stepping down as CM in 2007.“Kumaraswamy resigned as chief minister on October 10, but five days before he relinquished office, he denotified 48 acres of land and a week before that he approved mining leases for 22 companies to undertake mining in 2,259 acres of land. Where was the need to approve the proposals in a hurry?” Puttaswamy asked while addressing the media here on Saturday.Puttaswamy also alleged that H D Revanna, who was the energy minister in the BJP-JD (S) coalition government, had forced BESCOM and HESCOM to enter into an agreement with Shakambari Enterprises to buy power which was owned by H Kavita, their relative. “I have enough documents to prove that both Kumaraswamy and Revanna had misused their power to favour their own companies,” he added.Puttaswamy also said that he plans to file a defamation suit against Revanna for making derogatory remarks against him.