Karnataka to appeal SC against Yeddyurappa's acquittal
FollowThere is more trouble brewing for BS Yeddyurappa, the former Karnataka Chief Minister recently appointed as Bhartiya Janata Party president for the state, as the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government has decided to file an appeal in the Supreme Court against his acquittal in corruption cases by the High Court.
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The Karnataka Law Minister said that the order to file an appeal was issued on 24 February based on the recommendation of the state anti-corruption ombudsman Lokayukta.
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"Lokayukta had also recommended it. In that background, the Home Department has taken action and issued the order," Law Minister T B Jayachandra said, adding, the appeal would be in relation to 15-16 cases against Yeddyurappa.
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The Siddaramaiah government's move comes almost within two weeks after Yeddyurappa made a fiery return as the state BJP president for a fourth time, setting an ambitious target of winning 150 of the 224 Assembly seats in the 2018 polls.
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His appointment to revive the fortunes of BJP had come after the Lingayat strongman got a breather from the High Court in January this year, when it quashed the proceedings against him in relation to 15 FIRs registered by the Lokayukta police over denotification of lands in alleged violation of rules.
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After Yeddyurappa's return as BJP chief, Siddaramaiah had indicated recently that the government was mulling filing the appeal and the Law Department would take a decision. Yeddyurappa was forced to step down as Chief Minister in 2011 over graft charges, following which he quit the party to form his own outfit, Karnataka Janata Party, which failed to make a mark except to cause damage to BJP in 2013 polls.
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He returned to BJP following the announcement of Modi as party's prime ministerial candidate ahead of 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Biding his time, Yeddyurappa had made no secret of his desire to become the state BJP President and got the post recently with no challengers to him with his pan state image and combative style.
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With Yeddyurappa already going on the offensive against the Siddaramaiah government after taking over the mantle of presidentship, the new development is expected to raise the political temperature in the state.
