Kanakpura: Forest minister C.P. Yogeshwar had charged Congress MLA D.K. Shivkumar and his brother Suresh of illegal mining deals early this week, but in an explanatory note sent to a magazine, the Congress leader has flatly denied any illicit business activity on his part. He challenged the minister to hold a CBI probe, if needed.

He denied that he or brother Suresh had threatened the minister against conducting an enquiry. It was baseless and wrong to suggest such an act. The minister is free to make public any record or details he had, if any, and call in the police, he shouted.

He had a Trust in his constituency, undertaking social service programmes, and beneficiaries are selected honestly, with no party feelings.

People in his area have appreciated what work the Trust was doing, without any corrupt influence or airs.

Yogeshwar on the other hand, carries the stigma of corruption over sites distribution. He is charge-sheeted by local police.

He is accusing me(DKS) because I told CM about his misdeeds, D.K. Shivkumar said and asked Yogeshwar to come clean on the chargesheet.