There is no doubt that Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde’s resignation, which created
history, would prove a death knell to the very existence of the BJP government. But the
ruling party men who are overtly pleased with Justice Hegde’s resignation are making all
sorts of jugglery to hide their pleasure. Even mine lord Janardhan Reddy who is the first
beneficiary of Hegde’s resignation is the one who is making an unbelievable demand
to the Lokayukta to withdraw his resignation. On the other hand one just couldn’t
believe when even the Lokayukta’s prized cache Legislator Sampangi in a TV interview
said “Hegde should withdraw his resignation and continue to serve the people of the
state.â€
The fact is that Hegde’s resignation, that too when the BJP government has completed
two years in office, has created a carpet bomb effect on the party and has also been a
great blow to the Sangh Parivar. The manner in which the CM reacted to queries at the
Press Club on Thursday, has made it clear that the government was in no position to
give an explanation to the reasons cited by the Lokayukta for his resignation. The CM by
saying “I will not embarrass Hegde by pressurizing him to withdraw his resignation,†has
signaled that the Lokayukta’s resignation was something that he actually wanted.
It is surprising that the CM and his party leaders have no idea as to what sort of adverse
effect would Hegde’s resignation and the government reaction to the same, would have
on public opinion.
It has already been proved beyond doubt that the recommendation of Minister of Ports
Krishna Palemar to the government to suspend Karwar DCF R Gokul who had helped the
Lokayukta in tracing ore theft in Belekeri port, had immediately prompted the Lokayukta
to resign. If the CM is interested at least by an iota to curb corruption, then he should
order for a CoD probe into the case.
It has become imperative for the government to seriously look into this case, order for an
investigation and initiate action against the guilty. At the same time it is as clear as the
writing on the wall that Yeddyurappa would dare not take such a step.
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