“Why should I,” he shot back at a press conference in Bangalore when asked whether he would resign in the wake of the Governor’s decision.
“If somebody gives a complaint (against a Chief Minister) in India... has anybody resigned? Why should I,” he retorted.
Hitting back at Mr. Bhardwaj, the Chief Minister asserted that he would prove his innocence “100 per cent” and dismissed as “unconstitutional and mala fide” the Governor’s decision to sanction his prosecution on allegations of land scam and corruption.
Mr. Yeddyurappa described the Governor as a political agent of the United Progressive Alliance and alleged that his mission appeared to be to destabilize the BJP government.
He also alleged that the Governor took the decision in collusion with opposition Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular).
Mr. Yeddyurappa accused Mr. Bhardwaj of having hurt the sentiments of the people of the State by his remarks against his government.
“By calling the Chief Minister of the State 'a thief complaining against the police', the Governor has hurt the sentiments of the people and the pride of Karnataka,” he said, adding the people have given vent to their feelings against him by observing a bandh on Saturday.
Mr. Yeddyurappa said his growing popularity, rapid progress of the State, development programmes, along with good law and order situation and financial position “appears to be troubling” the Governor.
“The Governor neither bothered to give me a copy of the complainants' petitions nor an opportunity to explain my point of view,” he said.
