KJP leader makes charges against Advani's kin

The verbal duel between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the fledgling Karnataka Janata Party turned nasty on Monday with a key leader of the B S Yeddyurappa-led outfit making allegations against senior leader L K Advani's children.

Kumar, the working president of the KJP who had served as a minister under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, slammed Advani for asserting in election campaign meetings yesterday that BJP would not compromise on corruption.

Talking to reporters, he accused the the former deputy prime minister of "shielding" the corrupt and referred to BJP ministers facing Lok Ayukta probe in Karnataka.

There has been a war of words between the BJP and KJP in recent days. The BJP has chosen to distance itself from the 38-month rule of Yeddyurappa, who headed BJP's first government in south India from 2008 before being forced to quit on corruption charges.

BJP replied saying the party has become clean following the exit of Yeddyurappa and his supporters. Yeddyurappa has repeatedly vowed to decimate the BJP in the May five Assembly polls.

Kumar's allegations drew sharp reaction from BJP leaders who dismissed them as baseless. Party President Rajnath Singh, who was in Bellary on Monday, said the allegations were baseless and even cognisance should not be taken note of them.

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar said there is no truth or substance in the charge. Describing Advani as a "political saint", state BJP Persident Prahlad Joshi said attempts to tarnish the reputation would not work.

The state BJP has urged the Election Commission to take action against Kumar alleging violation of the election code by making false allegations.A