Karnataka: Yeddyurappa faces Lokayukta heat

Bangalore: The resignation of Karnataka's Lokayukta, Santosh Hegde - the man whose job was to spearhead the fight against corruption in the state - has not come at a good time for the state government. Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa and his team were all set to celebrate their two years in power - but now the CM finds himself in damage control mode.

"It is an unexpected and most unfortunate development. Our government has not clipped any powers granted to the institution of the Lokayukta," Yeddyurappa said.

Yeddyurappa did say action would be taken against officials who let millions of tonnes of iron ore simply disappear through the port at which it had been impounded by the Lokayukta for inadequate paperwork.

"Enquiry is being conducted and action will be taken against the officers who are involved in this act," Yeddyurappa said.

But the Opposition is cashing in.

"This BJP government which promised on the floor, outside the floor, that they will give powers to Lokayukata to eradicate corruption, they did nothing," said RV Deshpande, President, Karnataka Congress.

The resignation was a powerful message sent out by this man in his fight to clean up the system, even if it could be read as a message of defeat.