Bangalore, Nov 17 (IANS) Karnataka Tourism Minister G. Janardhana Reddy Tuesday welcomed the decision of the Andhra Pradesh government to seek a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into his mining empire’s alleged irregularities.
“I welcome it. My company has been following all rules and regulations and it is like a white paper,” Janardhana Reddy, who recently led a revolt against Bharatiya Janata Party’s first Chief Minister in Karnataka B.S. Yeddyurappa, told reporters here.

He was reacting to reports from Hyderabad that the Congress government of Chief Minister K. Rosaiah had decided to recommend to the central government to direct the CBI to probe the alleged illegal mining activity by his company in Anantpur district.

Reddy and his elder brother, Revenue Minister G. Karunakara Reddy, are friends of the family of late Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, popularly known as YSR. The Reddys are said to be business partners of YSR’s son, Lok Sabha member Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Janardhana Reddy said it was true that YSR had granted licence to his firm, Obulapuram Mining Company, to mine iron ore. “But my company has not indulged in any illegal mining activity,” he asserted.

He accused opposition parties in Andhra Pradesh, particularly the Telugu Desam led by former Andhra Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of indulging in “mean politics” by levelling accusations against OMC.

The Reddy brothers hail from Andhra Pradesh. They have, however, made Karnataka’s iron ore rich district of Bellary, about 400 kms from here, and bordering Andhra Pradesh, their home.

They joined the BJP in 1999 and have acquired enormous clout in the party.

Janardhana Reddy is a member of the legislative council while Karunakara Reddy is a member of the assembly. Their third sibling G. Somasekhara Reddy is also a member of the assembly.