Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah calls Guv's prosecution nod against him in MUDA site allotment case 'unconstitutional'
New Delhi: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Saturday refuted allegations of wrongdoing soon after Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot green-lit his prosecution in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment case, media reports said.
In a press statement, Siddaramaiah termed the Governor's decision "anti-Constitution" and "contrary to the law."
"It will be questioned in court. I have done no wrong to resign," he told reporters in Bengaluru as the Opposition demanded his resignation, according to NDTV.
"The entire Cabinet, party high command, all MLAs, MLCs, Lok Sabha and Rajya
There is no case against me, and the Governor's decision is unconstitutional. We will challenge this illegal sanction in the court of law. From the very day the complaint was filed against me, a show-cause notice was issued. This move by the Governor was anticipated.… pic.twitter.com/n58cqizL2k
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) August 17, 2024
Siddaramaiah also alleged that it was a "conspiracy to dislodge democratically elected government by the BJP, JD(S), and others".
Gehlot has approved his trial in the MUDA land scam case after petitions by three activists - Pradeep Kumar, TJ Abraham, and Snehamayi Krishna.
In a July complaint to the Lokayukta police, Abraham claimed that the assignment of 14 alternative sites in an upscale Mysuru neighbourhood to BM Parvathi, Siddaramaiah’s wife, was unlawful and caused a Rs 45 crore loss to the public treasury.
The complaint implicated Siddaramaiah, his wife, their son S Yathindra, and senior officials of the MUDA.
Another activist, Snehamayi Krishna, accused Siddaramaiah, his wife, MUDA, and administrative officials of being involved in the purported land scam.
Although no new FIR was filed, the police reported that an investigation was underway.
Siddaramaiah had asserted that the land for which his wife received compensation was a gift from her brother Mallikarjuna in 1998. However, Krishna alleged that Mallikarjuna had acquired the land illegally in 2004 and registered it using forged documents, with help from government and revenue officials. The land was officially recorded as being purchased in 1998.
Parvathi demanded compensation for the land in 2014 when Siddaramaiah was Chief Minister. On Saturday, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar called the allegations a "conspiracy" and affirmed that the state government would fully support Siddaramaiah.
"We will fight it legally and we will fight it politically as well... This is nothing but a clear conspiracy against backward-class Siddaramaiah who is running the government for the second time," he told reporters, according to NDTV.
"They (BJP) are trying to destabilise the government by using the Governor's office. This is unfortunate... There is no question of him resigning. He will continue in the post," he said at the press conference.
Speaking to reporters, Karnataka Minister Krishna Byregowda also said the procedure adopted by the Governor was "completely illegal".
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