As expected, Tourism Minister in the Karnataka Cabinet Gali Janardhan Reddy denied that he or his brother were involved in any illegal mining activity, and challenged that they would resign if any shred of evidence against them was produced.
Talking to media persons, Janardhan Reddy further denied that the brothers were involved in any mining activities in Karnataka. He said that the brothers' mining interests were confined to Andhra Pradesh.
Janardhan Reddy said that he and his brother Revenue Minister Gali Karunakar Reddy would not even hesitate for a minute before resigning if there is any evidence against them.
He alleged that some Congress leaders where engaged in illegal mining of iron ore, but did not name the leaders nor the source of his statement.
Janardhan Reddy also accused Governor H R Bhardwaj of 'exceeding his limits' by asking Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa to sack them. He said that Bhardwaj had a 'personal agenda' against them.
The mining magnate also described himself and his brother as '24 carat gold', and said that they would remain gold even if the opposition tries to paint them in any colour.