Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa said he was anxiously awaiting the report of the Lokayukta, which is expected to be submitted on Wednesday.
Talking to the mediapersons, Mr. Yeddyurappa said that incidentally it was his government which ordered the probe into the whole gamut of iron ore mining. “Perhaps I may be the first Chief Minister in the country who has issued orders prohibiting illegal mining as well as its export,” he said.
While the Supreme court as well as the High court had, on different occasions, appreciated the initiatives taken by his government in preventing illegal mining, the alleged inclusion of his name by the Lokayukta was unfortunate. “The people of the State have a lot of faith in my government, and they would hardly believe any corruption charges aimed at tarnishing the image of this government.”
Exuding confidence that he would complete his full term as Chief Minister, he said he would react only after the submission of the report by the Lokayukta. Further, he said that when he took up the issue with the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the latter reacted positively.
Mr. Yeddyurappa, despite being in the thick of the controversy for the past one week, seemed unfazed by the developments and reached Tirumala, along with eight Cabinet colleagues, on Tuesday evening for darshan of Lord Venkateswara.
