Governor asked legislators to persuade Hegde to reconsider resignation

Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj had sent a message to both the Houses of Legislature urging its members to "unanimously" appeal to Lokayukta Santosh Hegde to reconsider his decision and withdraw his resignation, officials said in Bangalore on Monday.

Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj had sent a message to both the Houses of Legislature urging its members to "unanimously" appeal to Lokayukta Santosh Hegde to reconsider his decision and withdraw his resignation, officials said in Bangalore on Monday.

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The Governor's message to the Assembly and Legislative Council was sent on July 3 under Article 175 of the Constitution, but Hegde on the same day had announced his decision to withdraw his resignation bowing to appeals by top BJP leaders, including L K Advani.

The Governor, in his message, had said ever since Hegde submitted his resignation, people from all walks of life have been representing that it should not be accepted and the Lokayukta be persuaded to withdraw it, an official release said.

"There is an overwhelming public opinion in favour of justice Santosh Hegde withdrawing his resignation," Bhardwaj had said in his message.

Meanwhile, Hegde, who has already apologised to the Governor for announcing his decision to stay on through the media, said on Monday that he would call on Bhardwaj on Tuesday to request him not to accept his resignation.

Hegde, on June 23, had quit the anti-corruption watchdog accusing the BJP government of being indifferent towards corruption, but on Saturday he announced his decision to withdraw his resignation after Advani, BJP president Nitin Gadkari and Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa urged him to continue.