Karnataka BJP Protests Against CM Siddaramaiah Over MUDA Scam
Bengaluru, Karnataka – On Monday, Karnataka BJP leaders held a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. They allege his involvement in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam case.
Protest Details
Karnataka Assembly Leader of Opposition, R Ashok, stated, “Today we are demanding the resignation of CM Siddaramaiah. He has looted the poor people that’s why we are protesting against him and the entire Congress government…This government is ATM for the Congress high command.”
BJP leader CT Ravi added, “There are allegations of corruption on CM Siddaramaiah. MUDA scam has happened everyone knows about it…The Governor has given an order according to the Constitution of India. We are here to remind Congress about what they said when they were in opposition. The position of Governor is a constitutional position. So, protesting against his order is wrong.”
Legal Actions
Earlier today, CM Siddaramaiah moved to the High Court challenging the order issued by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to prosecute him in the alleged MUDA land scam case. He filed a writ petition requesting the cancellation of the prosecution permission. Justice Hemant Chandangoudar’s single-judge bench is scheduled to hear the plea at 2:30 pm today.
In his writ, Siddaramaiah argued, “Despite all the factual matters being brought to the notice of the Governor, he has proceeded to grant sanction on 16.08.2024, which was communicated to the Chief Secretary on 17.08.2024. The Petitioner submits that the sanction order was issued without due application of mind, in violation of statutory mandates, and contrary to constitutional principles, including the advice of the Council of Ministers, which is binding under Article 163 of the Constitution of India. The Governor’s decision is legally unsustainable, procedurally flawed, and motivated by extraneous considerations, and thus the Petitioner has preferred this Writ Petition seeking to quash the impugned order dated 16.08.2024 amongst other reliefs.”
Congress Response
Congress leader Ramesh Babu wrote to President Droupadi Murmu, requesting her immediate intervention to direct the withdrawal of the prosecution sanction against the Chief Minister. He stated, “With the utmost respect and deep concern, submit this memorandum to draw your immediate attention to a grave injustice and a politically motivated act of Karnataka Governor Sri Thawar Chand Gehlot that threatens the very essence of our democracy and the constitutional values upon which our great nation is built.”
He added, “The Governor of Karnataka, in a move that is unconstitutional, has granted sanction for the prosecution of our Honorable Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah. This action, taken on the day following the Independence Day celebrations, is not just a direct attack on the elected government of Karnataka, but a calculated conspiracy to destabilize a government that has been mandated by the people of Karnataka.”
Background
The MUDA scam surfaced after social activist Snehamayi Krishna filed a complaint against Siddaramaiah and nine others for allegedly forging documents to claim compensation from MUDA.
Doubts Revealed
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party. It is one of the major political parties in India.
CM Siddaramaiah -: CM Siddaramaiah is the Chief Minister of Karnataka, a state in India. A Chief Minister is like the head of the government for a state.
MUDA -: MUDA stands for Mysuru Urban Development Authority. It is an organization responsible for planning and development in the city of Mysuru.
Scam -: A scam is a dishonest scheme or fraud. In this context, it means there are allegations of illegal activities related to land deals.
Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot -: Thaawarchand Gehlot is the Governor of Karnataka. A Governor is like the President of a state in India.
High Court -: The High Court is a major court in India that deals with important legal cases. Each state has its own High Court.
Congress leader Ramesh Babu -: Ramesh Babu is a leader from the Congress party, another major political party in India.
President Droupadi Murmu -: Droupadi Murmu is the President of India. The President is the head of the country.
Unconstitutional -: Unconstitutional means something that goes against the rules set by the Constitution of India, which is the supreme law of the country.
Social activist Snehamayi Krishna -: Snehamayi Krishna is a person who works to bring about social change and has brought forward the allegations of the MUDA scam.
