Siddaramaiah rules out resignation as Congress vows to fight ‘BJP conspiracy’ legally

“The (Congress) high command is behind me, the entire Cabinet and the government are behind me. All Congress MPs, MLAs, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members are behind me… I have done nothing wrong by resigning,” he asserted.

Accusing the opposition of misconduct and illegal and unconstitutional behaviour, he further said: “They are using Raj Bhavan as a political pawn. The governor is acting like a puppet in the hands of the central government.”

#Karnataka Prime Minister @siddaramaiah strongly criticized the governor's decision to prosecute him, calling it unconstitutional and outside the governor's jurisdiction. He announced that he would challenge the decision in court, calling it an illegal measure. pic.twitter.com/Hfg6qzddLG

— South First (@TheSouthfirst) 17 August 2024

“I expected this decision”

Stating that such a decision by the governor was expected, Siddaramaiah said, “We were expecting this, I was expecting this too. When the governor sent me a request for comment on July 26, the day he received the petition. What does that mean?”

He said, “Since November, there is a petition seeking prosecution against JD(S) leader (now Union minister) HD Kumaraswamy. There are also petitions against former BJP ministers Shahshikala Jolle, Murugesh Nirani and Janardhana Reddy. If I leave them all out, what does it mean if the notice is addressed to me?”

“In November, after an inquiry, Lokayukta sought sanctions against Kumaraswamy (also a former chief minister) in an alleged case related to the award of mining licences. He received no notice. What does it mean that the notice is addressed to me (from the governor)? It is a big conspiracy,” he added.

Nevertheless, Congress leaders, from Congress president Mallikarjuna Kharge to Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar, have rallied behind the chief minister and supported him.

Also read: Governor's approval for prosecution of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in MUDA case: What does the order say?

BJP demands resignation

However, the opposition in the state, BJP, demanded the resignation of Siddaramaiah as chief minister of the state.

Karnataka BJP leader BY Vijayendra called for Siddaramaiah's resignation on X: “In view of the strong evidence and serious allegations of corruption and favouritism within the Congress government, the Chief Minister must resign. Resignation would enable a transparent and impartial investigation and ensure that the dignity of the office of the Chief Minister is maintained and justice is done.”

The Governor has exercised his constitutional powers to order legal action in relation to the MUDA fraud complaint against the Chief Minister.

Given the ample evidence and serious allegations of corruption and nepotism within the Congress government, it is crucial that the Chairman… pic.twitter.com/MyPymDBO44

— Vijayendra Yediyurappa (@BYVijayendra) 17 August 2024

BJP MPs Sambit Patra and Tejasvi Surya, at a press conference in New Delhi, also refuted the Congress party's claim that Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot's decision was politically motivated and alleged that it was a serious case of corruption involving Siddaramaiah and his family.

Governor vs. Government in Karnataka: Governor Gehlot gives green light to prosecution of CM Siddaramaiah in MUDA land case

“I will fight it legally”

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar described the approval given by the governor as “unconstitutional and undemocratic”.

He reiterated that the entire government stands firmly behind Prime Minister Siddaramaiah and that he will continue to hold the office.

“The governor has sent an unconstitutional and anti-democratic letter (to the chief minister) through his secretary,” Shivakumar said at a press conference in Bengaluru.

The Deputy Prime Minister was referring to the letter sent to Siddaramaiah and Prime Minister Shalini Rajneesh informing them that permission had been granted to prosecute the Prime Minister.

“The entire state, the Congress party, be it MPs or cabinet, is behind Siddaramaiah. He is my chief minister, he will be the chief minister. We are firmly behind him. The party will also have a proper manifesto to support his case. There is no case. They have created a case without a case,” Shivakumar said.

“We will fight it within the law and in a legitimate way. In addition, our government is determined to fight it politically, by reaching out to the people, explaining everything to them and using the people's support.”

Meanwhile, Home Minister Parameshwara claimed that there was pressure from above on Governor Gehlot, which has now been proven.

Parameshwara said, “It is clear that pressure is being exerted from above. There has been no clear information that the CM has given any instructions or even verbal instructions.”

“We have explained in great detail, following the Governor's request, how the blame was pinned on him (the CM)… even if the Governor gives permission, of course we feel that there was pressure from above,” he alleged.

“We said from the beginning that the governor's office was abused. Now it has been proven.”

Related: Karnataka ministers allege 'conspiracy to overthrow government' as governor issues 'summons to show cause' to chief minister

“BJP conspiracy”

Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao described the move as a “small conspiracy” by the BJP,

“The CM has emerged stronger. The more you follow him, the stronger he becomes,” he told reporters in Mangaluru.

The minister said the BJP's conspiracy to politically destroy Siddaramaiah would be humiliating as it would have repercussions.

Minister HK Patil stated that “this decision of the governor is illegal, immoral and politically motivated” and reiterated that they would fight it legally. “This kind of decision will weaken democracy and the federal system.”

IT Minister Priyank Kharge alleged that the MUDA scandal was staged by the central BJP.

“Raj Bhavan is being misused by the BJP to undermine a democratically elected government. The constitutional head of state is fomenting a constitutional crisis to appease his political masters. The central government may throw its full weight into the balance, but we stand firm and the Constitution is on our side.”

The Karnataka Governor’s decision to authorize the CM’s prosecution @siddaramaiah in the MUDA case was staged by the central government.

Raj Bhavan is being misused by the BJP to undermine a democratically elected government. The constitutional chairman of the…

— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) 17 August 2024

“BJP-appointed governors are causing unrest in non-BJP states”

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday (August 17) said that BJP-appointed governors were creating problems for non-BJP-ruled states, but stressed that he would have to examine why Gehlot had given permission to prosecute the Karnataka chief minister.

“I have neither seen it nor do I know the details of the notification. I have also not seen the reasons for the approval and cannot say now whether the notification is right or wrong,” Kharge told reporters in Bengaluru.

The Congress president said, “Another thing is that wherever there is a non-BJP government, be it West Bengal, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu or wherever there is a non-BJP government (in the states), the BJP-appointed governors are creating more trouble.”

He said he would prefer to respond after learning details of the case and consulting with lawyers.

(With PTI inputs)