Advani persuades Justice Hegde to stay as Karnataka Lokayukta

Advani persuades Justice Hegde to stay as Karnataka Lokayukta

Mangalore Today

Bangalore, July 3, 2010: Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde has finally agreed to withdraw his resignation. This came after requests from senior BJP leader L K Advani and party president Nitin Gadkari who met him early Saturday and requested personally to reconsider his decision to quit.

 

Justice Hegde said he was moved by Advani’s plea who is like a father figure to him apart from requests by a number of dignitaries including the BJP chief Gadkari and state Chief Minister Yeddyurappa.

"I can not say no to Advani and I have to accept whatever he say and I believe in him," said justice Hegde, adding Advani assured him that the government will consider his demands.

"As a respect for L K Adavni, I am withdrawing my resignation. I will meet the Governor tomorrow," said Hegde.
Justice Hegde said the state government has assured him that illegal mining will be stopped and the assurance came from none other than Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa who said later he is very happy that Santosh Hegde has withdrawn his resignation.

When asked that many BJP ministers are also involved in illegal mining in the state, BJP chief Gadkari promised action against all whoever is involved, irrespective of party or region.

Earlier, the state BJP unit discussed strategies to improve the state government’s image at a meeting here chaired by its national president Gadkari.

The meeting is being held in the wake of attack on the BJP by Hegde for its non-cooperation in his crusade against corruption, illegal mining and its "failure" to provide relief measures to flood-affected victims in 15 districts, BJP sources said.
Gadkari, who arrived here Saturday morning, drove to a private resort on the city outskirts, the venue of the meeting. They said Gadkari held a session with state ministers and asked them to implement programmes evolved by the government.

The decisions adopted at the recent BJP National Executive at Patna, where issues related to improving governance in the party-ruled states were debated, were also briefed to the ministers, the sources said.

Gadkari would preside over a meeting of state-level office bearers and MPs and also inaugurate a conference being hosted by party backward classes wing here on Sunday.