No Speaking Against Lokayukta - Yeddyurappa to BJP MLA's

Chief minister BS Yeddyurappa on Sunday issued gag orders to BJP legislators against speaking about the lok ayukta even as he faced public wrath from all corners of the state a day after a group of BJP MLAs threatened to launch an agitation against Lokayukta justice N Santosh Hegde.

Yeddyurappa was forced to hit the damage control button while sensing the strong public opinion in defence of the Lokayukta that started pouring out.

In a written statement, Yeddyurappa said: “The statement issued by the BJP MLAs when I was on a tour in Bijapur has caused immense pain for me. I have very high regards for the post of Lokayukta.”

BJP MLAs SR Vishwanath and Suresh Gowda on Saturday evening had accused justice Hegde of trying to malign Yeddyurappa by portraying him as a culprit in various land scams even before completing the probe.

The MLAs had threatened to stage protests in front of Lokayukta’s office if he failed to tender an apology to Yeddyurappa.

“Nobody should say or do anything that could bring down the dignity of the office of Lokayukta. BJP legislators or leaders should not issue any statements in the future showing disrespect for the post of Lokayukta,” Yeddyurappa said.

However leader of Opposition in legislative assembly Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president G Parameshwar have termed Yeddyurappa’s gesture as a mere gimmick.

The BJP MLAs could not have issued the threat of an agitation against the Lokayukta without the consent from chief minister Yeddyurappa, they said.
“After saving his seat by blackmailing the BJP high command, Yeddyurappa is trying to use the same tactics against Lokayukta to escape an imminent jail term in connection with a slew of land scams and financial irregularities. Come what may, the probe should be conducted by the Lokayukta and Congress would fully stand behind Lokayukta in this clash between the Lokayukta and chief minister,” Siddaramaiah said.

“The state government is insulting, harassing and blackmailing the Lokayukta to force him to quit the post. We will not stop our legal fight against the state government,” he said.

Former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy threatened to launch an agitation against Yeddyurappa if his state government continued its anti-Lokayukta campaign.