No change in the decision: Santhosh Hegde

New Delhi, Jun 25: Home Minister P Chidambaram and Karnataka Governor HR Bhardwaj requested Karnataka Lokayukta head Santhosh N Hegde to reconsider his decision to resign, saying that it would only help to 'encourage the corrupt elements' in the state. Santhosh Hegde replied that there is no change in his decision.

HR Bhardwaj had said that he does not want Hegde to quit.

"I requested Hegde not to press for his resignation. The resignation will give greater encouragement and comfort to corrupt elements in Karnataka. Therefore in the interest of the people of Karnataka, he should not press for his resignation," said Chidambaram.

Hegde resigned as a protest against the government's attitude towards fighting corruption. He has been known as a crusader against several sensationalized cases including the mining lobby in Bellary. He had also conducted hundreds of successful raids. He offered the resignation as government did not act against many corrupt people.

"I have no regrets over quitting my office. I am not in the habit of using resignation as a blackmail. My decision is final. "I don't want to be useless sitting in a position. It is not enough if I catch people. I need powers to bring cases to logical conclusion," Hegde had said, after submitting his resignation letter to Bhardwaj, on Wednesday, Jun 23.

OneIndia News