Yeddyurappa asks Centre to reconsider its decision on iron ore

"Let the Centre bring the issue before Cabinet and even take up a discussion in the Parliament and take a decision," said Yeddyurappa, whose government ordered closure of 10 ports to ban export of iron ore two days ago and is mulling to suspend issue of permits to transport material for exports.

"We will issue the notification barring issue of permits to transport iron ore for exports in a day or two," Yeddyurappa told reporters here.Yeddyurappa, who seemed to be visibly upset over the response the Congress padayatra launched against his government evoked, vowed to "teach a lesson to Congress" by undertaking rallies across the state.

"Those who indulged in illegal mining, benefited from it and seeking to build party from resources raised from mining are agitating against me. I will expose them," he said as the padayatra entered the fourth day in the state.

Lokayukta to which the probe into illegal exports and illegal mining has been entrusted had sought more staff, he said, adding, Chief Secretary S V Ranganath will meet Lokayukta Santosh Hegde in a day or two to discuss the issue.

"I have already banned export of iron ore. What more these Congress leaders want. Let them complete their padayatra with dance and drama," he said.He denied any differences with Reddy brothers, whose challenge to Congress prompted the opposition party to go on padayatra and even dismissed any dissidence in the party saying "we are all united".

Yeddyurappa said he had no knowledge about the rallies being held by Health Minister B Sreeramulu in Bellary district, while replying to a question.Rejecting the call by opposition Congress leader Siddaramaiah to him to seek a fresh mandate,he said "yes I have accepted the challenge.I will go before people after three years on completion of BJP term of five years".