Bengaluru: The BJP and Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa are facing sharp criticism from various quarters for handing over Ministry of Forest to Anand Singh.

Netizens have said that this decision will lead to episode that will only force the citizens of Karnataka to recall the  age-old saying of the fence eating the crops.

It is known to all that Singh is facing at least 15 cases against him pertaining to illegal  miing and forest encroachment.

Initially, when BSY distributed the portfolios, Singh, one of the turncoat MLAs was given Food and Civil Supplies. However, evidently unhappy, Singh managed to get the Forest Ministry, leaving the entire state shocked.

One of the close associates of Ballari Reddy brothers, Singh himself is a mining baron, who violated rules and regulations to run his roaring business swiftly.

All was fine till former Lokayukta N Santhosh Hegde exposed the Ballari mining scam and revealed to the world that the scam had caused loss to the state exchequer to the tune of Rs 35,000 cr.

Hegde had led the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that filed the cases against Singh.  

He was arresed twice- in 2013 and 2015 in connection to illegal mining and illegal transporation of iron ore.

Did not lobby, says Singh

However, Singh has told media that he did not lobby to get the portfolio.

“The decision was taken by the CM. I did not ask for it. I am not particular about any portfolio. The CM is free to withdraw the portfolio given to me,” he said adding that cases against him, including that of forest offence are almost like ‘traffic violation cases’.

Singh represents Vijayanagar constituency of Ballari.