Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Sep 9: Social welfare minister D Sudhakar, who was under constant pressure to resign, following the filing of a charge sheet against by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) relating to a multi-crore bank fraud relating to availing of housing finance by providing forged papers, can breathe easy now. The opposition has been breathing down the neck of Sudhakar, in an effort to force him to leave office, but the Chief Minister, who has just returned from his China tour, said that Sudhakar will continue in the post till he is proved guilty.

Sudhakar, who was given a week's time by Yeddyurappa, has got a surprise extension now. In the meanwhile, the High Court issued a stay of a week against conducting of hearing in the said case by the special CBI court here, on Tuesday September 8. 

Yeddyurappa clarified that Sudhakar will be allowed to be a state minister till the court conducts the hearing and finds him guilty of the charges levelled against him.

It may be recalled, that the BJP had decided to obtain resignations of both Sudhakar, and Somanna, who was defeated in the assembly elections. While Somanna demitted office, Sudhakar requested for a week's time to leave, and it was granted. It was felt that the Chief Minister will obtain his resignation immediately upon his return from China, as the opposition is likely to make an all out effort to floor the government on the issue, in the assembly session set to begin today.