2 BJP MLAs seek apology from Hegde

MLAs Suresh Gowda and S R Vishwanath said they would stage a dharna in front of the Lokayukta’s office if he (Justice Santosh Hegde) did not seek an apology.

In response, Hegde said the legislators were welcome to stage their protest. “They are free to do whatever they want. I will do what is required of me as Lokayukta”, Hegde said.

At a press conference on Saturday Suresh Gowda said Justice Hegde had been passing remarks against the CM, who represents the entire state. “It was uncalled for from a person of his stature to pass comments without verifying facts regarding the allegations of corruption made against the chief minister,” they said.

Gowda alleged that the Lokayukta had not initiated probes into many cases pertaining to irregularities in appointment of junior engineers in the Public Works Department and construction of a ring road in Hassan. “...whereas he was in a haste to comment on complaints filed by political parties against the state government”, he said.

Hegde regrets withdrawing resignation

Lokayukta N Santosh Hegde, who is at logger- heads with the state government over its decision to transfer the land denotification probe to a judicial commission on Saturday said he felt he had made a “mistake” by taking back his resignation in June this year, reports DHNS from Bangalore.

Responding to queries from reporters on whether he would quit in the wake of the fresh developments, Hegde replied in the negative. “In retrospect, I made a mistake by taking back my resignation. I think I would not have been in the dilemma that I am in today. But it is too late, I cannot go on resigning and coming back”.

Hegde had resigned in June accusing the BJP government of being indifferent towards corruption. However, he later withdrew his resignation following a request by senior BJP leader L K Advani. Hegde also slammed the state government for its alleged “inaction” on various reports submitted by the anti-corruption watchdog.