Bengaluru, April 24: Targeting the BJP over the Rs 35,000 crore iron-ore mining scandal which was unearthed in 2011, the Congress on Tuesday said the "Modi-Shah" duo is using the "Captive CBI" to rescue the "Bellary Gang" - a reference to the three Reddy brothers who are at the centre of the scam.

The Congress presented documents of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) which showed the cases against the Reddy brothers - Gali Somashekhara Reddy and Gali Karunakar Reddy - were dropped within a span of 17 days after BS Yeddyurappa, another accused in the multi-crore scam, was declared as the BJP's chief ministerial candidate.

"On 27th May, 2017, BJP president Amit Shah declares Yeddyurappa as the CM face... On 13th June, 2017, the CBI began the process to shut down all cases related to the iron-ore mining scam," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala.

"By 8th August, 2017," Surjewala added, "the case of illegal iron-ore mining at both the ports of Goa and Karnataka were closed down."

Surjewala claimed the Congress, if re-elected to power, would ensure the "Bellary Gang" is put to justice.

"The Modi government is using the captive CBI to save them from the corruption charges. Will the Prime Minister explain to the Kannadigas why he has compromised with those who have looted the public resources," he added.

The BJP, while releasing its third list of candidates, named Somashekara Reddy as the candidate from Bellary City. Facing flak, BJP state spokesperson Vivek Reddy said a "compromise has been struck" to win the constituency.

The Congress says apart from the Reddy brothers, eight of their close aides have also been given tickets by the BJP. One of them, B Sriramulu, is contesting against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah from Badami constituency in North Karnataka.

Another associate of the Reddy brothers, Lallesh Reddy is contesting against Karnataka Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy from the BTM Layout assembly segment.

Despite the corruption charges levelled against the Reddy brothers, they hold sway in Karnataka politics, claim analysts. The 2008 victory of BJP in Karnataka was largely credited to the electioneering of the Reddy brothers, along with the projection of Yeddyurappa as the CM candidate.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 24, 2018 08:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).