Janata Dal, United, leader Ponnachi Mahadevaswamy on Monday said forest bandit Veerappan is ready to surrender provided he receives amnesty through a Presidential decree.

Kollegal JD (U) leader Mahadevaswamy on Monday said that during his secret meetings with the brigand during the recent Nagappa saga, Veerappan expressed his desire to lay down arms if given amnesty.

Mahadevaswamy quoted the bandit, who is carrying a reward of Rs two crore on his head announced by Karnataka government, as saying he was ready to surrender in the presence of Defence Minister George Fernandes, Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna and the seer of the Suttur Mutt.

Mahadevaswamy, speaking after releasing a book by Ravindra Joshi who claims to throw light on the mysterious and tragic circumstances of Nagappa's death in Veerappan's captivity, alleged that the Karnataka government did not make sincere efforts to secure the leader's release.

Charging Minister for Agro-Processing Raju Gowda of having links with the brigand, Mahadevaswamy said Gowda should either resign or the government must drop him and initiate an enquiry against the minister.

The Saga of Veerappan
The Nagappa Abduction
The Rajkumar Abduction