Karnataka crisis: Sadananda Gowda denies reports of his resignation

Bangalore, Mar 23 (ANI): Karnataka Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda on Friday rubbished reports of his resignation, saying neither the issue of resignation or a change in chief ministership was discussed during his meeting with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) central leadership in New Delhi yesterday.

"Two channels telecast that I have submitted my resignation. Neither my resignation nor any change in the state was discussed with me or Eshwarappa or any other member, who accompanied me to Delhi. I have respect for the media. I don't want to comment on it. But such reports have a bad impact on the administration of the state," Gowda told the media here.

"I went to Delhi and apprised the central leadership about the political situation in the state, the state budget that I presented and the recent elections in Udupi. All leaders Lal Krishna Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj, said Karnataka has a good administration and expressed satisfaction," he added.

When asked to comment on Karnataka strongman B.S. Yeddyurappa, who has mounted pressure on the central leadership for his reinstatement as chief minister, Gowda said he is the leader of the party and everybody respected him.

"We have a lot of respect for Yeddyurappa. He is our leader. The High Court has quashed some allegations against him. It is expected that the other charges would also be quashed. We have lot of respect for him as a leader," he said.

Yeddyurappa, who had met the BJP top brass in New Delhi on Thursday for his reinstatement as Karnataka Chief Minister, has reportedly been asked to hold on till the end of the Budget session.

Former Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde's inquiry into mining graft in Karnataka had accused Yeddyurappa and other key officials for causing a loss of at least 160 billion rupees to the state exchequer between 2006 and 2010.

Yeddyurappa tendered his resignation on July 31 following allegations of corruption.

The Karnataka High Court had earlier this month granted a major relief to Yeddyurappa by setting aside the former Lokayukta's report on illegal mining, which indicted him.

The court also quashed the permission to register an FIR, granted by Karnataka Governor H. R. Bhardwaj, against Yeddyurappa.

The high court shot down the Yeddyurappa section of the Lokayukta report on the ground that he was not given an opportunity to defend himself, and that there was no evidence of favours granted or misuse of his position.

Following the high court's judgement, Yeddyurappa has stepped up his demand for reinstatement as chief minister.

Meanwhile, Gowda also conveyed his good wishes to the people of Karnataka on the occasion of Ugadi. (ANI)