Granite Miner, Land Scammer trade charges

BANGALORE: Claiming that the petition submitted by Congress to Governor seeking his resignation was instigated by former minister D K Shivakumar, Forest Minister C P Yogeshwar vowed to end the illegal granite mining business in Ramanagaram, which he said was being carried out by the former.He addressed the media here on Friday that he has received a complaint against Shivakumar and his supporters over their alleged involvement in illegal mining.“Sensing trouble he (Shivakumar) arm-twisted KPCC leaders to submit a petition against me,” he averred.Yogeshwar said that his ministry would apprise the chief minister of the matter and urge for an inquiry, which must be headed by the Lokayukta.He, however, vehemently the allegations of fraud leveled against him in the Megacity Case.“There is a sustained campaign of political vendetta against me.I will not resign.I have already met the Governor and explained my position.I have no role to play in the Mega City project,” he said.Meanwhile, D K Shivakumar, while speaking to Express stoutly denied the leveled against him.Challenging Yogeshwar to initiate legal action against him on granite mining, Shivakumar, claimed that the former was trying to hoist false cases on him.“Yogeshwar is free to prosecute me on alleged illegal granite mining.” he said.