Karnataka Chief Minister Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot. (PTI file photos)
Siddaramaiah has vowed to contest the sanction legally and denied any wrongdoing, labelling the move as a conspiracy aimed at destabilising the elected government
Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Saturday granted sanction for the prosecution of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in connection with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment scam.
The prosecution is sanctioned under sections 17 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarika Suraksha Samhitha, 2023.
In response, a special state cabinet meeting has been scheduled for 5 pm today. Both official and Congress sources said that Siddaramaiah will legally fight the prosecution sanction accorded by the Governor.
Siddaramaiah Slams Decision As A ‘Conspiracy’
Following the governor’s decision, Siddaramaiah has vowed to contest the sanction legally and denied any wrongdoing, labelling the move as a conspiracy aimed at destabilising the elected government.
In a press conference, Karnataka CM stated that an urgent cabinet meeting has been called for today. “The Governor should work as the representative of the Constitution but the Governor is working as the representative of the Central Government. Governor is acting as BJP representative,” he alleged.
“A grand conspiracy has been hatched to undermine our government. The BJP and JD(S) leaders in the state are all part of this scheme. Just as they did in Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, and Delhi, they are now attempting to execute their plans in Karnataka. We will not let this pass!,” Siddaramaiah said in a post on X.
Randeep Surjewala Denounces ‘Political Vendetta’
Congress general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala condemned it as a “political vendetta” orchestrated by the Modi government. Surjewala accused the Governor of acting on a political conspiracy and described the decision as an act of “shameless unconstitutionality.”
“In a brazen political conspiracy hatched in the corridors of PMO and the Home Ministry, in Delhi, against the people of Karnataka and its elected government, the ‘puppet Governor of Karnataka’ has proceeded to grant prosecution sanction against the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, by dancing to the tune of his political masters,” Surjewala said in a statement.
‘Congress Party’s Legacy Of Corruption Continues’: Nadda
In a social media post on X, Union Minister and senior BJP leader Nadda accused the Congress Party of a persistent legacy of corruption. “From National Herald to MUDA Scam Karnataka, Congress Party’s history with corruption is well-documented. Time and again, they have betrayed the trust of the people for personal gain,” Nadda wrote.
Congress Party’s Legacy of Corruption Continues!From National Herald to MUDA Scam Karnataka, Congress Party’s history with corruption is well-documented. Time and again, they have betrayed the trust of the people for personal gain.
Instead of calling the decision as…
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) August 17, 2024
Nadda also criticised Congress for its hypocrisy, suggesting that instead of condemning decisions as “unconstitutional”, the party should examine its own own actions.
“While Congress portrays itself as the guardian of Dalits and minorities, one of their own Chief Ministers is involved in grabbing land from a Dalit family. This is yet another instance of Congress’ hypocrisy and its family-centric politics,” he added.
BJP Demands Siddaramaiah’s Resignation
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for Siddaramaiah’s resignation to ensure an impartial investigation into his alleged involvement in the MUDA site allotment scam.
BJP leaders Sambit Patra and Tejasvi Surya, speaking at a press conference, dismissed Congress’s claims that Karnataka Governor’s decision was politically motivated. They asserted that the case involves serious allegations of corruption against Siddaramaiah and his family.
BJP MP Lahar Singh Siroya stated that the allegations are personal and should be addressed by Siddaramaiah individually, not through state machinery.
“The #MUDAScam is a purely personal allegation against Shri @siddaramaiah, his wife and family. It is about private land they own. He should fight it as an individual, not as CM by involving the state government machinery. Am sure CM knows the difference,” Siroya shared in a post on X.
Congress Workers Protest Governor’s Sanction
Congress workers staged widespread protests across Karnataka, calling for the removal of Governor Gehlot and showing support for Siddaramaiah. Protesters chanted anti-Gehlot slogans, burned effigies of the Governor, and carried placards reading “Remove Governor, Save State.”
The protests included demonstrations in Bengaluru, Mysuru, and other cities in the state, where Congress supporters criticised the Governor and the BJP’s actions.
(With inputs from PTI)