Santosh Hegde to quit panel?

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Karnataka Lokayukta Justice N. Santosh Hegde on Thursday hinted he could step down as a member of the Lokpal bill drafting committee due to “repeated efforts” to derail the process.

Reacting to Congress leader Digvijay Singh’s comments against him, Justice Hegde said that a section of a political party and some representatives of civil society are behind the conspiracy to derail the drafting of the Lokpal Bill.

“This group of people, which comprises some politicians, people from civil society and even officials, first targeted Anna Hazare and later the Bhushans and Aravind Kejriwal. Now a politician who was a chief minister of a state, criticises me for not doing anything in cases of corruption against Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa. I am sure Mr Digvijay Singh is aware of the fact that all cases against the CM have been stayed by the High Court. This is clear conspiracy not to malign, but derail the process of drafting the Lokpal Bill,’’ Justice Hegde said.

He added that Congress members continue to launch smear campaigns despite the party president’s statement that she is against such campaigns. Justice Hegde said he will be meeting other committee members to decide on a future course of action.

“I will be in Delhi on Saturday and Sunday. If other members too are in the city I will discuss whether to continue to be in a committee that is deliberately attacked by vested interests,’’ Justice Hegde said.