'I welcome CBI probe'

Former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa on Friday said he would “welcome” the Supreme Court verdict on CBI probe against him.

Putting on a brave face, Yeddyurappa said unlike the mythological character Abhimanyu, he knew how to “come out of Chakravyuha.”

Speaking at the inauguration of a building belonging to Suttur Mutt at Nanjangud, he said: “I am strong enough to face the probe and mentally prepared to brave all the odds ever since I forayed into politics. I am only an accused and not convicted. I am confident of coming clean.”

Yeddyurappa said he was made a scapegoat by former Lokayukta Santosh Hegde who was mandated to investigate illegal mining since 2000, but limited his inquiry to the period during which he was chief minister.

“I will take up state-wide tour after three months and explain what I did as deputy chief minister and chief minister,” he said.

Yeddyurappa and Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda shared the dais, but didn’t speak to each other. On returning to Bangalore, Yeddyurappa addressed the media along with 18 legislators, including Ministers Umesh Katti, V Somanna, Jagadish Shettar and Murgesh Nirani.  “I am accused in illegal mining due to political conspiracy though it is I who stopped it,” he said.

‘No impact on govt’

Sadananda Gowda claimed that the SC verdict will not have any impact on the government.