Kumaraswamy goes on indefinite fast

Bangalore: Former Karnataka chief minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumarasway will launch an indefinite fast here on Saturday to press his demand for a CBI probe into the ruling BJP`s charge that his family amassed Rs 1,500 crore illegal assets.

After garlanding a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, Kumaraswamy would begin his fast at the Freedom Park where the JD(S) had made arrangements for the protest, party sources said.

The party chose the venue as the police declined permission to Kumaraswamy to hold the fast in front of Vidhana Soudha, the state secretariat or in front of Basaveswara Statue, near the legislators` Home.

Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa has rejected the demand of his political bete-noire saying allegations of irregularities in purchase of land and other issues were under various stages of probe in the state and there was no need for seeking a CBI investigation.

Kumaraswamy, son of former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, and Yeddyurappa have been involved in a slug fest in the last couple of months trading charges.

While Kumaraswamy has released several documents accusing Yeddyurappa of indulging in corruption, favouritism and nepotism, Yeddyurappa has retaliated against the Deve Gowda family, raising similar charges.