Kumaraswamy calls off fast in Karnakata

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Former Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Sunday called off his fast for a CBI probe into his family's assets following appeals by his Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) and Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa.

Kumaraswamy started the fast-unto-death on Saturday, demanding that Yeddyurappa seek a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's allegation that his (Kumaraswamy's) family had illegally amassed assets of Rs.1,500 crore.

Yeddyurappa on Sunday sent a letter to Kumaraswamy through three ministers, stating that the BJP will drop the use of word 'chargesheet' while referring to its allegation, contained in a booklet released here on June 28.

"It will be just called a booklet and not chargesheet," Yeddyurappa assured Kumaraswamy.

The chief minister, however, rejected the demand for a CBI probe and told the JD-S leader that the BJP has no faith in the agency.

Following the letter and meeting of the three ministers with Kumaraswamy, the JD-S met with his father and former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda presiding and urged him to end the fast.

Eminent Kannada writer and Jnanpith Award winner U.R. Ananthamurthy also met Kumaraswamy at Freedom Park, about four kms from the state secretariat, and appealed him to end his fast, offering him juice.

Kumaraswamy told his supporters gathered at the venue that he was bowing to the wishes of Ananthamurthy, his party and also his mother, who told him on Sunday morning to end the fast - which lasted about 28 hours.

The BJP booklet lists lands, commercial and residential properties and business ventures of the Gowda family comprising four sons and two daughters. The current value of these assets is Rs.1,500 crore, the booklet said.

Gowda and Kumaraswamy asserted that the assets were legally acquired and had dared Yeddyuappa to order a CBI probe to establish the truth.

On June 29, Kumaraswamy had given one week time to Yeddyurappa to order the CBI probe or he would go on 'fast-unto-death' from July 9.