Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today said he has done "no wrong", hours after Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot granted sanction for his prosecution in connection with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment ‘scam’.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Siddaramaiah said the Governor's decision was "anti-Constitution" and "against 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.
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
"The entire Cabinet, party high command, all MLAs, MLCs, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs are with me," the senior Congress leader said.
Mr Siddaramaiah also called it a "conspiracy to dislodge democratically elected government by the BJP, JD(S), and others".
Mr Gehlot has sanctioned his prosecution in the MUDA land scam case after petitions by three activists – Pradeep Kumar, TJ Abraham, and Snehamayi Krishna.
In a complaint filed with the Lokayukta police in July, Mr Abraham alleged that the allotment of 14 alternative sites in an upscale Mysuru neighbourhood to Mr Siddaramaiah's wife BM Parvathi was illegal, which caused the exchequer a Rs 45 crore loss.
The complaint named Mr Siddaramaiah, his wife, son S Yathindra, and senior MUDA officials.
Another activist, Snehamayi Krishna also alleged the involvement of Mr Siddaramaiah, his wife, and MUDA and administrative officials in the alleged land scam. A fresh FIR was not filed as the police said a probe was already underway in the case.
Mr Siddaramaiah had claimed that the land for which his wife received compensation, was gifted by her brother Mallikarjuna in 1998. But activist Krishna alleged that Mallikarjuna had procured it illegally in 2004 and got it registered using forged documents with the help of government and revenue officials. The land was shown to have been bought in 1998.
Ms Parvathi sought compensation for this land in 2014 when Mr Siddaramaiah was Chief Minister.
"Conspiracy": DK Shivakumar Backs Siddaramaiah
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday called it a "conspiracy" and said the state government will put all their weight behind Mr 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.
"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".
