Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa today returned to Bangalore after holidaying in Mauritius with family amid mounting pressure to resign. He has been 'indicted' by Karnataka lokayukta Santosh N Hegde's report on illegal mining in the state.
Yeddyurappa has sought an inquiry into the issue by a Central team and denied his hand and that of the ruling BJP in it.
Returning home after a six-day family vacation in Mauritius, Yeddyurappa told reporters at the Bangalore Airport that he was "very much hurt" about the phone-tapping issue.
He said had the Lokayukta reported the matter to the Central government, an inquiry would have taken place by now.
"Even now, it's not too late. I am going to request the Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) to send one important team to inquire into the phone-tapping", he said. "Our party and me do not have such a character to do this unpardonable crime (phone-tapping)".
The Lokayukta, who has indicted Yeddyurappa, his four ministers and others in the mining scam in the leaked report that has raised a political storm, had claimed last week that his phone had been tapped.
Karnataka government has asserted it had not ordered tapping of telephone of the Lokayukta, who on Saturday hinted at the possible involvement of a political party behind it.
{{/usCountry}}Karnataka government has asserted it had not ordered tapping of telephone of the Lokayukta, who on Saturday hinted at the possible involvement of a political party behind it.
{{/usCountry}}The Karnataka chief minister will hold a press conference at 4.30 pm today and clear his stand on the issue.