Will not quit,will fight: BSY

The bandh was called by state party leaders. As many as 501 party workers courted arrest for violation of prohibitory orders and protests around the state.

I did not call for the bandh,it was ordinary people who support me who came forward. The Governor must take full responsibility for this bandh, said Yeddyurappa,after promising not to be cowed down by criminal and corruption complaints that were filed against him and his family members.

The people of the state have expressed their anger against the unconstitutional and malafide action of the Governor in collusion with the Congress and the JD(S), said Yeddyurappa at the end of a day that witnessed attacks on buses in parts of the state and the forcible shutting of shops and businesses.

Yeddyurappa said Bhardwaj had acted to give sanction despite no clear cut case being made out against him. Indicating his partys course of action,Yeddyurappa said he would not be stepping down. He said he would be advancing the presentation of his Budget to the third week of February. The presentation of the Budget is seen as being vital for the BJP to win support.

“If somebody gives a complaint (against a Chief Minister) in India…. has anybody in the history of any state or India resigned. Why should I,” said Yeddyurappa,asserting that he would prove his innocence 100 per cent by fighting “politically and legally” the challenge thrown up by the Governor’s sanction.

Meanwhile,coming under attack from the BJP,the Governor justified his action saying there was a “prima facie” case against the Chief Minister in the petition filed by the lawyers in the alleged land scams and corruption charges.

Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah said the bandh was government sponsored and accused the BJP of using policemen to shut down establishments in parts of Bangalore.

with PTI inputs