Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has launched a fierce attack on the recent decision by Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, who granted permission for his prosecution in connection with the controversial Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam. Siddaramaiah denounced the Governor's action as "anti-Constitutional" and accused the Central Government of manipulating Raj Bhavan for political purposes, intending to destabilize and ultimately topple his democratically-elected administration.
The Chief Minister, in a strong rebuttal, framed the Governor’s move as part of a broader conspiracy, alleging that the Opposition, particularly the BJP and JD(S), are using this legal action as a tool to orchestrate the downfall of his government. Siddaramaiah, a senior leader within the Congress party, emphasized that he has the unwavering support of his entire Cabinet, the party's high command, and all Congress MLAs and MLCs. He reiterated that the Congress stands united behind him in this battle, underscoring that the Governor’s decision will not go unchallenged and will be rigorously contested in court.
Central to this political turmoil is the accusation involving Siddaramaiah's wife, Parvathi, who is embroiled in the controversy over the allocation of a 3.16-acre piece of land in Kesaru village. The land, which was owned by Parvathi, was acquired by MUDA for the development of a new layout. In compensation, MUDA allocated 14 premium sites in the upscale Vijayanagar area to Parvathi under a 50:50 scheme in 2022. However, activists and opposition figures have raised serious concerns, alleging that the value of the land allocated to Parvathi far exceeds the value of the original land that was taken by MUDA, suggesting impropriety and favoritism in the land allocation process.
Siddaramaiah has consistently refuted these allegations, maintaining that the land was legally acquired by MUDA and that his wife, like any other citizen, was entitled to fair compensation, either in the form of land or monetary reimbursement. He has labeled the accusations as baseless and politically motivated, aimed at maligning his image and destabilizing his government. In July, in response to the growing controversy, the Karnataka government under Siddaramaiah's leadership established a single-member inquiry commission headed by former High Court Judge Justice PN Desai to investigate the case and clarify the matter.
Despite these efforts, the situation escalated when RTI activist TJ Abraham filed a complaint, prompting the Governor to sanction Siddaramaiah's prosecution. This decision by Governor Gehlot has triggered a fresh political storm in Karnataka, exacerbating tensions between the Congress-led state government and the BJP at the Centre. The Congress party has vocally criticized the Governor’s decision, viewing it as a direct attack on the state’s autonomy and a deliberate attempt by the BJP to target and weaken the Congress government.
The BJP, on the other hand, has staunchly defended the Governor’s decision, arguing that he acted well within his constitutional powers by allowing legal action to proceed against Siddaramaiah in what they describe as a "scam" worth Rs 4,000 crore. The party has gone a step further, demanding Siddaramaiah's immediate resignation to ensure an impartial investigation into the alleged scam, thereby increasing pressure on the Chief Minister and intensifying the political battle.
Siddaramaiah, while addressing the media, asserted that there is no legitimate case against him and described the Governor’s actions as an anticipated move within a larger scheme to unseat his government. He also pointed out that from the very moment the complaint was filed against him, he had expected a show-cause notice to follow, and the Governor’s recent sanction only confirms his suspicions of a coordinated effort to dislodge him from power.
This unfolding political drama is set to deepen, with both the Congress and the BJP preparing for an intense legal confrontation, and possibly widespread protests across Karnataka. The Congress is rallying its supporters and preparing for a legal and political fight, while the BJP continues to press for Siddaramaiah's resignation and further probes into the alleged misconduct. As the situation evolves, the conflict between the state's ruling party and the Governor’s office is likely to escalate, potentially leading to significant political repercussions in Karnataka and at the national level.
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