Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa,indicted by the Lokayukta report on illegal mining,today claimed that he had been accused "unfairly" despite his efforts to preserve natural resources in the state. Reading out a statement in front of Raj Bhavan after tendering his resignation,Yeddyurappa said it was his government that unveiled a new mineral policy and banned export of iron ore. "Ours is the first state government in the country to take up this revolutionary measure which was upheld by both the Karnataka High Court and the Supreme Court," he said. "Despite my sincere attempts to preserve the natural resources of the state,I have been accused unfairly. I leave this to the judgement of the enlightened people of the state." Indicting him in the illegal mining scam,the Lokayukta report had called for his prosecution under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Yeddyurappa,who dragged his feet for three days on submitting his resignation after the party high command directed him to quit,described himself as a "disciplined soldier" of the party. "I believed from the beginning that no sacrifice is above the party. Therefore,bowing to the directive of the party seniors,I have stepped down from the Chief Minister's post without any hesitation," he said.
