'Not Scared’: Siddaramaiah Alleges BJP Conspiracy After HC Setback In MUDA Case As Calls Grow For His Resignation

After a setback from the Karnataka High Court in the MUDA case, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said that he is not afraid of the political conspiracy against him and affirmed that he will decide the next step after consulting with the legal experts.

The Karnataka High Court dismissed the Chief Minister’s plea challenging Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot’s sanction to prosecute him in the alleged Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA). The single judge bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna noted that the order of the Governor on August 17 approving the investigation and sanction for “prosecution of the Chief Minister in MUDA was not taken in haste”.

Addressing a press conference, Siddaramaih alleged that the BJP is trying to dislodge his government through money power and “Operation Kamala” but they did not get the success so far as his party MLAs stands behind him.

He alleged added that the BJP and JD(S) were resorting to political retaliation against him due to his pro-poor image and his fight for social justice.

“It is not a prosecution. I will discuss with legal experts and ministers how to fight this and take a further call. We will not be scared of BJP and JD(S) conspiracy, as well as that of the Governor’s office. People have blessed us. I have their blessing. I also have the high command and party leaders backing me,” he said.

In the MUDA site allotment case, it is alleged that compensatory sites were allotted to Siddaramaiah’s wife BM Parvathi in an upmarket area in Mysuru, which had higher property value as compared to the location of her land which had been “acquired” by the MUDA.

 Siddaramaiah Slams BJP for Ouster Calls

While the BJP demanded Siddaramaiah to step down from the CM post in the wake of the Karnataka HC’s order, the Congress leader slammed the party for indulging in ‘corruption’ politics.

“BJP has never come to power on the mandate of people in Karnataka. They have tried to poach MLAs and come tower. None of our MLAs have despite being offered bribes, succumbed even though they tried,” he said.

Congress Shows United Front

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday said that there is no question of resignation and this is a “political conspiracy” by the BJP.

Speaking to reporters, he said, “There is no question (of resignation) by CM. He has not done anything wrong. He is not involved with any scam. This is a political conspiracy by the BJP to all of us, to all the opposition leaders of the country…so there is no question of why the Chief Minister did anything wrong, they are creating the problem. We stand by him, we support him. He has been doing good work for the country, party and state.”

BJP Demands Siddaramaiah’s Resignation

The BJP, meanwhile, demanded the Chief Minister’s resignation and accused him of ‘looting’ the land which was meant for people from the SC/ST community.

BJP leader Shehzad Poonwalla said, “The Congress party must tell us after the verdict of the Karnataka High Court if is it tenable for CM Siddaramaiah to continue. Siddaramaiah must step down. He looted the land which was meant for people from the SC/ST community. Rs 5000 crore worth of corruption was done in the MUDA scam. Family and friends of Siddaramaiah benefitted.”

Aravind Bellad, Deputy Leader of Opposition, said, “As expected, the Karnataka High Court has rejected Siddaramaiah’s plea. In the eyes of the law, everybody is equal. A probe will take place and Siddaramaiah will have no option but to resign.”

Meanwhile, BJP workers held a protest in Hubli, demanding the resignation of Siddaramaiah.