Land scam: As BJP defers decision, Yeddyurappa steps up defence

Bangalore/New Delhi : With the BJP central leadership deferring decision on his quitting office over an alleged land scam, Karnataka chief minister on Saturday reaffirmed his claims of enjoying complete support of the party bosses as he was completely guilt-free.

Returning after an overnight visit to the national capital to attend the party?s top brass meet to discuss the latest spate of accusations against him, Yeddyurappa said he will not resign as he has done no wrong.

?Why should I (resign)? There is no offence from my side. I have not committed any mistake,? he asserted before reporters at Hubli.

He maintained that he will continue to be the party?s chief minister till the completion of term of the present government as the BJP had won power in the state under his leadership.

If the party chooses a new leader for the next election, he said he will support that person fully.

The chief minister said he will quit politics if the judicial inquiry ordered into the alleged scams finds any wrongdoing on his part.

Yeddyurappa instead maintained that the BJP was geared up to expose scams by its Opposition parties, including those under Janata Dal (Secular) chief HD Devegowda and his son and former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy.

He added that all papers pertaining to alleged scams under his rivals will be handed over to BJP MPs, who will take these up at the Parliament.

Earlier on Saturday, the BJP put off any decision on Yeddyurappa?s fate.

BJP national president Nitin Gadkari held talks with Yeddyurappa and Karnataka core committee members in New Delhi on Friday, but put off a final decision till later.

“The party president had requested the chief minister and senior leaders (of Karnataka) to come to Delhi for consultations with them which have been completed. We will be discussing what we discussed with them with senior leaders in Delhi,? BJP leader Arun Jaitley said after the meeting.

A final decision is likely after consultation with party Central Core Group, including senior leader LK Advani who is expected to return to the national capital on Sunday.

Earlier on Friday night, a four-hour long meeting was held at Gadkari?s residence, which was attending by senior leader Ananth Kumar and BJP Karnataka Core Committee leaders.

Yeddyurappa, placing his position before the party leadership, reportedly pointed that his kins have already surrendered their land and he has also ordered a judicial probe into the alleged land scam.

Faced with allegation of wrongful allotment of government to his family members, the cornered chief minister had his son BY Raghavendra (a BJP MP), daughter Umadevi and two other family members surrender their plots.

Yeddyurappa has continued claiming innocence and said he had compiled with rules and procedures set and followed by previous regimes.