Unfazed by mounting pressure, a combative Karnataka Chief Minister, Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa, today asserted he would continue in his post for the remainder of his term, ruling out his resignation in the wake of the Lokayukta report indicting him in the illegal mining scam.
“I am going to continue as Chief Minister for another two years,” Mr Yeddyurappa, who appeared relaxed, told reporters in the company of BJP State unit President Mr K.S. Eshwarappa shortly after the former’s arrival from Mauritius where he was on a holiday with his family.
Mr Yeddyurappa’s comments came at a time when the BJP central leadership said it would take “appropriate action” once the report is submitted to the Government.
Earlier, several loyalist ministers met Mr Yeddyurappa at the airport and accompanied him to his Race Course residence, where they were also joined by some MLAs.
“We are all together,” the Chief Minister, who completed three years in office in May, said.
He said the former Prime Minister, Mr H.D. Deve Gowda, and the former Chief Minister, Mr H.D. Kumaraswamy, are “very much worried” as their party JDS is “losing their vote-bank” by the day and fear that if the BJP Government continued in office, “they will be no more” (a political force).
Mr Yeddyurappa said the Government would give explanation to each issue raised by the Lokayukta once Mr Hegde submitted his report. “I have a lot of respect for the Lokayukta. But so far he has not given the report.’’
The Lokayukta has said he would submit the report on Wednesday.
The findings of the Lokayukta that the mining scam has caused a loss of Rs 1,800 crore to the state exchequer for 14 months from March 2009 has set off clamour for Mr Yeddyurappa’s resignation by the Opposition parties.
The leaked Lokayukta report has also indicted four ministers and several others, including the former Chief Minister, Mr Kumaraswamy.