Lokpal panel: Hegde reconsiders his decision

There appears to be more trouble for the Lokpal bill with a key member of the drafting committee, Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hegde stating that he would be reconsidering his decision be on the joint drafting committee.

"I will be first discussing the issue with my colleagues and will take a decision based on it", Hegde, who had reluctantly agreed to be on the Lokpal committee due to pending work, told mediapersons.

The former Supreme Court Judge, known for his vigorous campaign against corruption, said the current vilification campaign had put him off. "Everything stinks," he said referring to "the manner in which the vilification campaign first went against (Anna) Hazare, then against the Bhushans (Shanti and son Prasant)."

Hegde, who is due to retire in August as Lokayukta, said, "The anti-corruption crusade has unnerved some sections. Nobody expected Hazare to get the response he did," he said.  

"There is no doubt there is an attempt to derail the anti-corruption crusade," Hegde, whose name was initially suggested along with that of former Supreme Court Chief Justice J S Verma to be the panel head by Hazare, said.

Responding to allegations that he was only taking action against others and not against Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who is facing allegations of corruption, he said, "There is no one who has fought Yeddyurappa, the way I have. My hands are tied, yet I have taken action, issued notices, sought explanation."

"If I was not interested, I would have transferred the case to the commission," he said. The government has set up a commission of inquiry to probe alleged land scams involving Yeddyurappa and his family. Asked about his opinion on the Bhushans continuing to be on the panel in the wake of allegations against them and the CD controversy, he said, "I leave it to them."

He said there were two opinions about the genuineness of the CD, "hence it was difficult to comment." He also wondered as to why the controversial CD which was not brought to public notice before. "What is the point of time this controversy has actually taken place and the time when this has been released to the press? What is the objective of this?" he asked.

With additional reportage from PTI