Karnataka Law Minister resigns, CM keeps it on hold (Update)

Bangalore, June 23 (ANI): Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Urban Development S. Suresh Kumar, who tendered his resignation today after charges surfaced that he secured a residential site in violation of rules, said that he has not committed any mistake, and added that the allegations levelled against him are wrong.

"Just now, I have given all the details to the Chief Minister. I think the allegation is based on wrong understanding. I have not, I will never commit any mistake, any blunder, any illegal thing. So, that being the case, I think there is a misunderstanding about the whole issue and I have given all the details to our chief minister and also to my media friends," he told the media here.

Kumar further said that he took the decision to step down from his post so that his party does not have to undergo any embarrassment because of him.

"Today after reading that news item in English daily, I had a strong feeling that this news item should not cause embarrassment to my party. That is why after informing my state president, my state general secretary and our former chief minister Yeddyurappa and our national secretary Bhupendra Yadav, I have handed over my resignation," said Kumar.

"I strongly feel that I should stand justified because allegations have been made almost questioning my integrity. So, when that is at stake, I had no alternative, but to hand over this resignation. And I have made a formal request to the chief minister to accept my resignation," he added.

Karnataka Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, however, has refused to accept Suresh Kumar's resignation, saying he was of the impression that there was no wrongdoing on the latter's part.

"I have received the resignation, but not accepted. Practically, the news which appeared in the newspapers today, the in and out I know a little bit. Practically, things that appeared in paper are far away from truth, basically I know certain things which has happened earlier. At present, there is no question of accepting the resignation," said Gowda.

Gowda further said that he would look into this matter after holding due consultation with his party leaders, and added that the resignation was not accepted as of now.

"People like Suresh Kumar they do their service with much transparency, and with all fairness they are doing certain jobs. So, he was under the impression that a person who is serving in the public domain as a Minister, should not continue as a Minister till he comes out of the issues," said Gowda.

"But anyhow, this is not the right time to take a decision. So, at present resignation is not accepted. I will look into the matter after due consultation with my party leaders," he added.

Kumar, who is perceived to be a man with a clean image in the Karnataka political circle, has also written to Bangalore Development Authority, thereby surrendering the site allotted to him under the Chief Minister's discretionary quota during the B. S. Yeddyurappa regime.

He faced charges that he secured the allotment though his kin, including his mother and daughter, who owned a house and two sites. (ANI)