Question of resignation does not arise, says Yeddyurappa in Delhi

Putting up a brave front notwithstanding the damning indictment by the Lokayukta on the illegal mining issue, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa tonight ruled out his resignation.

"Why should I resign ?" Yeddyurappa told reporters at the Delhi airport soon after his arrival from Bangalore to meet the BJP top leadership.

"All our all India leaders are with us. All our MLAs are with us. And the question of my resignation does not arise," he said before his meeting with BJP president Nitin Kadkari.

"Don't presume anything," Yeddyurappa retorted when a reporter quoted BJP sources as saying that he would be asked to step down.

"I am going to meet Nitin Gadkariji and our all India leaders and I will explain to them what all is there in the Lokayukta report," he said.

"There is nothing new in the report," he said adding, various issues were pending before the Supreme Court and the Karnataka High Court.

In his report, Lokayukta Santosh Hegde strongly indicted Yeddyurappa over payment of about Rs30 crore kickbacks by a mining firm to his family trust and recommended his prosecution under the anti-corruption law.

The Chief Minister said the voluminous report is being studied by his government and senior leaders.

"I have convened a Cabinet meeting tomorrow in Bangalore where the report will be discussed. The question of my resigning does not arise," he said.