CM remains belligerent

He also wanted the party to probe charges of corruption and nepotism against him and his family members.

A belligerent Yeddyurappa declared that he would not only resign as the chief minister within 24 hours but also quit politics  if allegations about the phone tapping were established. He said hurling such allegations should not be like hit and run case. He also said that once the Lokayukta report on mining is submitted, action will be taken within the legal framework.

The chief minister, who came back from his week-long holiday in Mauritius, tried to give an impression that he was unfazed by the contents of the leaked mining report of the Lokayukta and the detractors in his own party upping the ante to dethrown him.

Yeddyurappa called the shots through the day from the time he arrived at the Bangalore airport. A good number of party leaders including ministers were present to welcome him. Later, he called a meeting of legislators at his residence and a meeting of the ministers at Vidhana Soudha and finally addressed the media.

Minister Jagadish Shettar, who gave room for speculation after meeting Yeddyurappa’s rival H N Ananth Kumar, MP on Sunday, was seen sitting along with the his cabinet colleagues at the press conference of the chief minister.  The Reddy brothers of Bellary too were present when Yeddyurappa reiterated that he is going to continue in power and his party will come back to power in the next elections with 150 seats. Ananth Kumar had left for Delhi as he was summoned by Gadkari.

Yeddyurappa, who chose to speak first on the allegations of Lokayukta Santosh Hegde that his phone was tapped over three months, said that it is a matter of great concern which needs to be probed. He said even JD(S) leader H D Kuamaraswamy and others too have alleged that their phone were tapped.

Hence, he said in writing he had requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to constitute a committee to probe the allegations.