Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah To Be Prosecuted In Land Scam Case :::: "We hope he will take moral responsibility and resign", says BJP

"The whole corruption goes up to Rs 4000 crores"

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot gave his nod for prosecution of the state chief minister Siddaramaiah in the MUDA land scam case based on petitions filed by three activists.

Granting sanction for prosecution against Siddaramaiah in connection with Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment 'scam', Gehlot said it is very necessary to conduct a neutral, objective, and non-partisan investigation.

"As directed by the Governor, I am enclosing herewith the copy of the decision of the Competent Authority on the request of sanction for prosecution against the Chief Minister Shri Siddaramaiah, under Section 17 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarika Suraksha Samhitha, 2023 for the commission of the alleged offences mention in the petitions," said a letter from the Governor's Secretariat to the activists.   

The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) has confirmed that it has received this communication.

The BJP has welcomed the Governor's go-ahead to prosecute Siddaramaiah. "By keeping enough records and evidences against the corrupt scandals of the Congress government and against the bias and corruption of the Chief Minister's relatives, Siddaramaiah has demonstrated that there is no one to shake him," said state BJP chief BY Vijayendra in an online post.

BJP MP Sambit Patra says, "The INDI alliance governments and its leaders are disrespecting the Constitution can be seen in West Bengal and even in Karnataka... The Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot has granted permission to prosecute CM Siddaramaiah... MUDA land scam was exposed a few days ago. People of civil society had submitted a petition to the Governor demanding permission to prosecute the CM. 

The Governor had first sought information from the Government but when he was not convinced by their facts and arguments, he has granted permission... 14 lands in the upmarket area of Mysuru were allotted to Siddaramaiah's wife... The whole corruption goes up to Rs 4000 crores."

Defending him, Karnataka Congress alleged the Governor has been delaying action in probes against former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy and former Karnataka ministers Sasikala Jolle and Murugesh Nirani. "But the fact that the Governor acted with alarming speed only on a baseless private complaint against the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seems to be a politically motivated conspiracy," it said.

The Governor had last month issued a "show-cause notice" to the Chief Minister, directing him to reply to the allegations against him within seven days and state why he shouldn't be prosecuted.

This sparked a resolution by the state cabinet asking the Governor not to sanction the prosecution. The Siddaramaiah-led government had also advised him to withdraw the notice and alleged "gross misuse of the Constitutional Office" of the Governor.

The Governor's notice followed a petition by anti-corruption activist TJ Abraham to prosecute Siddaramaiah over alleged irregularities in the MUDA. In his petition, he alleged the multi-crore scam caused huge losses to the state's exchequer.

Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar says, "On August 1, we held a cabinet meeting and demanded the Governor to withdraw the decision. We also told him that the complaint has no merit and democracy must be saved by dismissing the complaint."

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya says, "... This is a very significant development. The nature of the allegations are very serious... Needless to say, one cannot expect the CM to continue on office while agencies reporting to him, are investigating charges against him... 

We hope that the CM will take moral responsibility and resign to make way for impartial investigations."