Bellary brothers involved in illegal mining: SC panel

SOME RELIEF: BS Yeddyurappa getting help from Andhra Pradesh CM and Supreme Court.

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Hyderabad: The Bellary brothers who led the rebellion against Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa and brought him down to his knees, now face a bigger challenge. The Supreme Court has said that their companies are carrying out illegal mining along the Andhra Pradesh-Karnataka border.

So it seems that the beleaguered Yeddyurappa is getting unexpected help from Congress Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh K Rosaiah and the Supreme Court.

Just days after Andhra Rosaiah said that he will ask for a Central Bureau of investigation inquiry into the illegal mining being carried out by the Bellary Reddys inside Andhra, the Supreme Court has come up with an even stronger indictment.

The apex court's Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has reported that the company owned by Karnataka Tourism Minister G Janardhan Reddy was carrying out illegal mining of iron ore along the Andhra Pradesh-Karnataka border.

The CEC has recommended that all mining activity in the area be stopped. The recommendation along with the threat of a CBI inquiry, will reduce the power of Reddy brothers to bargain further with Yeddyurappa despite their connections with YS Jaganmohan Reddy, which the Bellary Reddys deny.

"What is the relationship between Anantpur mines and Jaganmohan Reddy, the son of late YSR? There is no connection," claims Jaganmohan Reddy.

The Supreme Court's observation will also help the Opposition Telugu Desam Party which has been targeting both sets of Reddys.

They earn huge money. Now they are using muscle power, money power and also political power. Ultimately they are becoming mafia," TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu says.

In the complicated politics and cross border conflicts and alliances across Andhra and Karnataka, it is the two chief ministers, both of them on shaky ground, who will be smiling.