Karnataka Politics in Turmoil: Governor Grants Prosecution Permission Against CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has denounced Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot's approval to prosecute Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over an alleged land scam. Shivakumar labels the move unconstitutional and undemocratic, with full governmental and party support behind Siddaramaiah. The CM calls the allegations a political conspiracy.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday labeled as 'unconstitutional' and 'undemocratic' the permission granted by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to prosecute Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the alternative site scam linked to the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).

Shivakumar asserted that the entire government alongside the Congress party stands solidly behind Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, ensuring he will continue to hold his position. "The Governor has sent an unconstitutional and anti-democratic letter to the Chief Minister through his secretary," Shivakumar stated at a press conference.

The Deputy CM referred to the letter addressed to Siddaramaiah and Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, confirming the Governor's approval for prosecution. "Everyone from the state to the Congress legislators and cabinet members support Siddaramaiah. He is my CM; he will remain our CM. The party is planning a proper program to support his case. There is no valid case; they have fabricated it," emphasized Shivakumar.

Shivakumar affirmed that the government would address this issue both legally and politically by involving the public. The MUDA scam allegations involve compensatory sites allocated to Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi in an upscale Mysuru area, which the opposition claims was a misuse of his position. Siddaramaiah has rejected the allegations, calling them a conspiracy to destabilize his government.

(With inputs from agencies.)