Updated on Saturday, July 03, 2010, 22:07 IST
Bangalore: Heeding to appeals from top BJP leaders, Santosh Hegde on Saturday agreed to withdraw his resignation as Karnataka Lokayukta, bringing relief to an embarrassed Yeddyurappa government which he had accused of being indifferent to corruption.
Stung by Hegde's sudden decision to quit, BJP went into an overdrive to persuade him to continue as the anti- corruption watchdog, with party president Nitin Gadkari himself along with Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa calling on him shortly after party veteran L K Advani called him up to reconsider his decision.
"I have decided to withdraw my resignation. If Governor H R Bhardwaj gives me time, I will meet him tomorrow to withdraw the resignation," said Hegde, who had repeatedly refused to budge despite appeals from various quarters in the past 10 days since he announced his decision to quit.
"I express my heartful thanks to Santosh Hegde," an elated Gadkari said while Yeddyurappa too thanked Hegde for agreeing to withdraw the resignation, over which opposition Congress and JDS mounted a sharp attack on his government.
"Hegde was kind enough to consider enveryone's request and agreed to withdraw his resignation," said Yeddyurappa, who initially had not persuaded the Lokayukta to reconsider his decision.
Hegde, who had come under pressure from political leaders and intellectuals in the state to reconsider his decision, finally yielded citing Advani's appeal and assurances by Yeddyurappa to address issues raised by him, including giving suo moto powers to the Lokayukta.
Known for his aggressive crusade against corruption, Hegde had announced his decision to resign with effect from August, miffed over BJP government's "indifference" towards corruption and not doing enough to arm the Lokayukta with more powers.
"For me Advani is like a father. He was a close friend of my father (former Lok Sabha Speaker late K S Hegde). I cannot go against his wish. I have to acceed to his request. Not for any political reason, but because of my love and respect for Advani, I have decided to withdraw my resignation," he said.
Hegde said Gadkari, here to attend a party function tomorrow, Yeddyurappa and Law Minister Suresh Kumar, met him and promised to consider certain demands raised by him.
"I am totally happy and satisfied with the assurance".
Asked why he had accepted Advani's appeal but not that of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, Hegde said "Advani is like my father while Chidambaram is my younger brother".
Hegde said it was not possible for him earlier to withdraw his resignation without any assurances.
"I have not withdrawn my resignation because Advani is in BJP or that the ruling party is BJP," he said. "My relationship with Advani is different from all other political leaders. I equate Advani to my father, his word is my command. I cannot disobey him," he said.
In his appeal issued in Delhi, Advani said "I have known Justice Santosh Hegde for a long time. He is an eminent jurist for whom all of us have great respect. As Lokayukta of Karnataka, he has certain concerns, I am sure the state government of Karnataka will address them earnestly."
A delegation of BJP headed by its state unit president K S Eswarappa, Home Minister V S Acharya and Law Minister yesterday called on Hegde to persuade him to reconsider his decision, but to no avail.
Hegde said he decided to continue as Lokayukta trusting the assurances given by the government, but also warned "if it does not happen, then you know the consequences. The doors are open, I can come in and I can also go out.
"I am free to walk out. There is no commitment to that extent."
PTI
I congratulate the BJP in getting the Lokayukta back. BJP must not only mould itself as a Hindutva party, but also as a moral force. Corruption is more dangerous than terrorism. Nobody wants terrorism and we have strong security forces to handle it. But corruption has become a way of life and has seeped into all levels of society. BJP must co-opt the Lokayukta and under his leadership put an end to the corruption and end the powers of the blackmailing Reddy brothers, even if the government falls. The BJP will sweep the next elections on the strength of its anti-corruption drive.
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