New Delhi: Back in Bangalore from a holiday in Mauritius, BS Yeddyurappa today defiantly said, "I am going to be Chief Minister for another two years."
That's probably not what his party, the BJP, was hoping to hear from the Karnataka Chief Minister, who has been indicted for nepotism and corruption in a report on illegal mining prepared by the Lokayukta or ombudsman of the state, Santosh Hegde.
In Delhi today, Nitin Gadkari, who heads the BJP, said that the party will consider Mr Yeddyurappa's future after Mr Hegde's report is formally presented to the government on Wednesday.
The most explosive excerpts of the report - which include strong criticism of four ministers in the Yeddyurappra government -were leaked to the media last week. Mr Hegde said that his phones had been tapped by people "with vested interests." Mr Yeddyurappa said today that he has asked the Prime Minister to order a detailed investigation. "If the charges of phone-tapping are proved, I will resign as Chief Minister, and take permanent leave from active politics... I will resign from the party also," he dramatically vowed.
The Hegde report on illegal mining has turned into a different sort of Rocky Horror Picture Show for the BJP, which has been targeting the UPA government at the Centre for breeding corruption. With similar charges against one if its own, the BJP has to now decide whether to sacrifice Mr Yeddyurappa, a powerful leader from the Lingayat community who has delivered impressive gains for the BJP in the Lok Sabha and local elections.
Mr Gadkari claims that the Chief Minister has promised to respect the decision the party arrives at once it reviews Mr Hegde's report. That could be wishful thinking. Sources say the Chief Minister has written to Mr Gadkari, making it clear that he will not quit unless he's found guilty by a BJP committee that he wants appointed to study the charges against him. (Read: In letter, Yeddyurappra tells Gadkari he's not going anywhere just yet)
In an attempt to prove he has nothing to hide, the Chief Minister has asked that his in-house rival, Ananth Kumar head this committee.
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That's probably not what his party, the BJP, was hoping to hear from the Karnataka Chief Minister, who has been indicted for nepotism and corruption in a report on illegal mining prepared by the Lokayukta or ombudsman of the state, Santosh Hegde.
In Delhi today, Nitin Gadkari, who heads the BJP, said that the party will consider Mr Yeddyurappa's future after Mr Hegde's report is formally presented to the government on Wednesday.
The most explosive excerpts of the report - which include strong criticism of four ministers in the Yeddyurappra government -were leaked to the media last week. Mr Hegde said that his phones had been tapped by people "with vested interests." Mr Yeddyurappa said today that he has asked the Prime Minister to order a detailed investigation. "If the charges of phone-tapping are proved, I will resign as Chief Minister, and take permanent leave from active politics... I will resign from the party also," he dramatically vowed.
The Hegde report on illegal mining has turned into a different sort of Rocky Horror Picture Show for the BJP, which has been targeting the UPA government at the Centre for breeding corruption. With similar charges against one if its own, the BJP has to now decide whether to sacrifice Mr Yeddyurappa, a powerful leader from the Lingayat community who has delivered impressive gains for the BJP in the Lok Sabha and local elections.
Mr Gadkari claims that the Chief Minister has promised to respect the decision the party arrives at once it reviews Mr Hegde's report. That could be wishful thinking. Sources say the Chief Minister has written to Mr Gadkari, making it clear that he will not quit unless he's found guilty by a BJP committee that he wants appointed to study the charges against him. (Read: In letter, Yeddyurappra tells Gadkari he's not going anywhere just yet)
In an attempt to prove he has nothing to hide, the Chief Minister has asked that his in-house rival, Ananth Kumar head this committee.
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