PC asks him to stay,but Hegde says no

Hegde,who has been flooded with requests urging him to reconsider his decision,said,This is my personal decision and it is final.

Earlier in the day,Union Home Minister P Chidambaram called Hegde and requested him not to press his resignation in the interest of the people of Karnataka as it would only encourage the corrupt elements in the state.

I requested Hegde not to press his resignation. The resignation will give greater encouragement and comfort to corrupt elements in Karnataka. Therefore,in the interest of the people of Karnataka,he should not press his resignation Chidambaram said.

The Union Home Minister,however,does not seem to have convinced Hegde. He spoke as a friend,as an acquaintance …It was a courtesy call, Hegde said about the call by Chidambaram,whom he described as an old friend and professional colleague whom I have known for decades.

Asked about Chidambarams statement that he (Hegde) had indicated he would reconsider his decision,Hegde said,This must be his pious hope.

Hegde said not only the Union Home Minister,but several others,including former Chief Justices of the Supreme Court and Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj,had asked him to withdraw his resignation. Refuting BJPs allegation that he resigned due to some political influence,Hegde said,Nobody can influence me. He said he did not regret his decision to quit. I am not in the habit of using resignation as blackmail, he said.