No going back on Bannurmath: DV Sadananda Gowda

MANGALORE: The decision on appointing a new Lokayukta seems to be headed for a stalemate, with Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Friday making it clear that the state government will not retract on its choice of Justice S R Bannurmath for the post of Lokayukta.Addressing the media here on Friday, he asserted that there were no changes in their proposal on appointing Justice Bannurmath as Lokayukta even after Governor had made public his objections on the issue. “We have written a letter to the Governor clarifying the government’s stand,” he informed.When asked to respond to former Lokayutka Justice Santosh Hegde’s statement on corruption not sparing any institution, the chief minister sought to know whether the civil society that drafted the Lokpal Bill was also involved in corruption. Clarifying that the statements of Justice Hedge had hurt him, he said people in top posts should think before seeking publicity.On the murder of an activist who had opposed the NICE project, Gowda said four persons had been arrested and their confession statements were also recorded. Denying any injustice in the probe, he refused to interfere when investigation into the case was still underway. In the upcoming byelection in Bellary, the CM said all leaders, including B S Yeddyurappa, will participate in the party poll campaign. Gowda will camp in Bellary for three days from November 22.He refused to react to Union minister Veerappa Moily’s letter urging the government to withdraw denotification of land acquired for Mangalore Special Economic Zone (MSEZ).