Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today described as unfortunate the resignation of Lokayukta Santosh Hegde, but maintained that he could not give any commitment on granting suo motu powers to the institution.

"Hegde's resignation was unexpected and unfortunate...It has hurt me also...I cannot commit myself on the matter (granting suo motu powers to Lokayukta). I am not a dictator. We have to weigh pros and cons. It has to be discussed in the cabinet and come to a decision," Yeddyurappa told reporters here.

Hegde, known for his crusade against corruption and the mining lobby, had yesterday resigned from his post and flayed the ruling BJP for its "indifference" towards Lokayukta, meant for redressal of citizens' grievances against government officials.

Yeddyurappa said the demand by Lokayukta for suo motu powers to act against corrupt officials has been pending for long and wondered why the previous governments had not acted on it.

He claimed that his government maintained cordial relations with Lokayukta and did not curb any of its powers; instead it granted most of its wishes including filling of 292 posts and sanctioning of allowance of police officials attached to the institution wing, despite financial constraints.

On whether he would persuade Hegde to reconsider his decision, Yeddyurappa said he did not want to embarrass the former Supreme Court judge "by asking him to withdraw his resignation".

Karnataka Lokayukta resigns

Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hegde resigned from his post on Wednesday complaining that he did not have adequate powers to take to logical conclusion cases pursued by his agency.

"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," he told a news conference shortly after news spread about his surprise decision to resign from the post he occupied four years ago.

Hegde, who launched a drive against corrupt officials with frequent raids in the past four years, denied that he was resigning because of a news report telecast by a Kannada TV channel that it was due to a contempt notice against him.

"I have not received any contempt notice. The news telecast by the channel is far from truth. I can file a defamation suit against it. It is an option which I will decide," he said.

"I have, as you all knew, tendered my resignation from the post of Lokayukta, Karnataka, to his excellency the Governor H R Bhardwaj," the former Supreme Court judge said.

"It is a four-line letter as required under the provisions of the Lokayukta Act. I have tendered my resignation from the post of Lokayukta with effect from August 31, 2010," he said.

"Under the Lokayukta Act, when a person is not occupying the post, that post becomes defunct and not vacant. Since the post of Upa Lokayukta remained vacant in the last six months, I will be there till August 31," Hegde said.

He also said he did not target any lobby but he did take action against illegal mining.

Justice Hedge said he could have continued in the post enjoying the perks like car with red beacon but he was only following his father's advice that "don't stay in a place where you are made to feel you are unwanted".

Hegde, who agreed that his resignation might leave the officials low in spirits, said he had explained to them the reasons for his leaving. "When there is no elbow room to work, Why should I stay back, is it for the red light cars, to take my salaries and enjoy the perks?" he added.

Some of his senior officers were facing SC/ST atrocities cases while he himself had to encounter three defamation suits, two of which had been dismissed.

"I would not run away", he said adding that he had considered such a possibility six months after he took over due to his personal opinion that he might not be 'a complete fit to the job'. However, the then Governor T N Chaturvedi had advised him against it and expressed his confidence in his ability to complete the task bestowed on him.

"After three and half years I am in the same base but the reasons and causes are different," he said.

He clarified he had no choice of a better job in hand nor was he contemplating entering politics. "I do not believe in any political party. They are (all) trained in the same school".

He said his resignation should not be seen as a "gift" to the BJP on its second anniversary. "Even if I had the capability of gifting, it would not be to a political party", he said.

Leaving the post, however, would make no difference to his crusade of fighting against corruption, he said.

Hegde said there were 8000-9000 cases which were pending before the jurisdiction of the Upa Lokayukta for consideration, out of which 3,000 were ready for final disposal once the Upa Ayukta signs. However the vacant post which would become defunct by the virtue of its being vacant for six months, had him believe there were reasons otherwise for the delay which was impeding the work of the instiution.

"If they (Government) want this institution to continue, it should appoint a Upa Lokayukta and also Lokayukta", he said.