Ruling and opposition parties in Andhra Pradesh on Monday welcomed the arrest of former Karnataka minister and mining baron Gali Janardhana Reddy by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in an illegal mining case.
Leader of opposition and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu said the arrest has vindicated his party's fight against illegal mining for the last five to six years.
He told reporters that because of the ‘incompetence’ of the central and state governments, Janardhana Reddy indulged in indiscriminate and illegal mining causing losses of thousands of crores of rupees to the state exchequer.
Naidu said the central and state governments ignored the reports of the Supreme Court- appointed committee and Lokayukta, which led to the loot of public wealth.
Another TDP leader P. Keshava said the arrest was the result of TDP's fight against illegal mining. TDP Member of Parliament N. Nageswara Rao demanded that all the assets of Janardhana Reddy be confiscated.
TDP leader in legislative council D. Veerbhadra Rao demanded the arrest of YSR Congress party chief Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy for his links with Janardhana Reddy.
Leaders of ruling Congress party also targeted Jaganmohan Reddy. Congress legislator Veerashiva Reddy said Jagan indulged in illegal activities in two states. He recalled that Janardhana Reddy had once described Jagan as his own brother. He claimed the CBI has evidence of Jagan's links with Janardhana Reddy and his brothers.
Congress MP V. Hanumantha Rao said with Janardhana Reddy's arrest he stood vindicated. The senior leader advised Jagan to ‘at least now confess’.
"Better late than never," was how CPI state secretary K. Narayana reacted. He felt that the mining baron should have been arrested long back.
CPI-M leader B.V. Raghavulu demanded that Janardhana Reddy's assets be seized.