Janthakal Mining scam: 5 things awaiting JD(S) if HDK is arrested

When the JD(S) is gearing up to strengthen the party, its President and former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy is haunted by the Janthakal Mining Scam. The scare of arrest had made Kumaraswamy apply for an anticipatory bail, which has come to an end on Tuesday. With this there is a possibility that Kumaraswamy might be arrested in the case.

If Kumaraswamy is arrested in the Janthakal Mining scam case, it will have these five repercussions on the state.

1)    Setback to JD(S) poll preparations

JD(S) has suffered a huge loss since the 2009 elections in the state. It was one of the important parties of Karnataka, but lost the popular support and is currently in need of strengthening the party from the roots. If the party does not perform well in the next Assembly elections to be conducted in the next year, it will be difficult for the JD(S) to make a comeback anytime soon.

Kumaraswamy’s arrest might prove as a setback, and party workers may not be as enthusiastic in strengthening the party as they are now. This might have an adverse effect on JD(S)’s image.

2)    BJP might decide to cheat

In the recent no confidence motion against the council speaker, DH Shankaramurthy, surprisingly, JD(S) decided to cast in support of the BJP candidate and helped the party retain Shankaramurthy. This proved as the major embarrassment to the Congress which mooted the no confidence motion, expecting the JD(S) to support it.

But as speculated, Kumaraswamy was forced to support Shakarmurthy as BJP’s Janardhan Reddy had submitted a pen drive to the SIT team which is probing the Janthakal Mining Scam. The pen drive is said to have information and proof of Kumaraswamy being involved in the scam. 

But BJP might still decide to cheat the JD(S), their bitter competitor with providing more information on Kumaraswamy’s alleged involvement in the Janthakal Mining case.

3)    Congress will have an upper hand

Congress’s poll preparations are on a swing. A setback to JD(S) will prove positive for the Congress as at many places there is a direct competition between Congress and JD(S) candidates. At a time, when Congress leaders (including veteran leader SM Krishna) quit Congress, the party will be in a better position to campaign. With this development, Congress will have a ready agenda with BJP’s Yeddyurappa (Cm candidate) already serving the jail term and Kumaraswamy in jail (if arrested), it can boast of its clean image and propose a name for the CM face.

4)    Dream of being a key maker will remain a dream

If JD(S) has to make an impact in the Karnataka politics, it has to win more than 50 seats and be a king maker. Only this will put the party in a better place in Karnataka politics. But if Kumaraswmy is arrested, its winning more seats is doubtful as it will affect the image of the party.

5)    Revenge time for BJP?

BJP has had its CM candidate BS Yeddyurappa serve a jail term in the denotification case. Moreover, in 2006, JD(S) withdrew its support from the Congress and formed a government with BJP on an agreement that 20 months Kumaraswamy will be the CM and will give the CM’s chair to Yeddyurappa of BJP. But after his term for 20 months and CM, he refused to give up his chair. This created a problem, and the government fell in 2007. Presidential Rule was imposed on Karnataka, and later fresh elections were held in 2008.

Thus getting Kumaraswamy arrested might be like taking revenge for what Kumaraswamy had done to Yeddyurappa ten years ago!

What is Janthakal Mining Scam?

IAS officer Gangaram Baderiya, principal secretary, (Bhoomi and UPOR), Revenue Department was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in 2016 for his alleged involvement in the Janthakal Enterprises illegal mining case.

He had allegedly forged letters of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) granting permission to Janthaka Enterprises to lift iron ore from Chitradurga. Former chief minister, H D Kumaraswamy’s name has been dragged in this case too (aside from the other illegal mining cases in the Lokayukta report).

It is alleged that in 2007, Baderiya had written to his superior - commissioner mines and geology, stating that there was immense pressure from the chief minister (Kumaraswamy) to permit Janthakal Enterprises to lift the ore.

Also Read: Jantakal mining case: It's relief for HDK, court grants him 7-day bail