Karnataka Congress Erupts as Governor Approves Prosecution of CM Siddaramaiah

Following Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot's approval for CM Siddaramaiah's prosecution, multiple Congress leaders have shown interest in the Chief Minister's post. Karnataka Home Minister Dr. G Parameshwara states that party leadership will address these developments, as the Congress accuses the Governor of political bias.

After Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot sanctioned a prosecution order against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, several Karnataka Congress leaders expressed interest in the Chief Minister's post. State Home Minister Dr. G Parameshwara stated that the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) will address the ambitions of these leaders.

'The PCC President will review these developments and speak to the leaders who have voiced such aspirations. The regulation of these statements falls under the purview of the PCC and AICC,' remarked Karnataka Home Minister Dr. G Parameshwara. Previously, PCC President and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar dismissed any likelihood of Siddaramaiah resigning despite growing demands.

'There is a concerted effort to misuse the Governor's office to destabilize the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka. The Chief Minister will not resign, and both the party and the government stand firmly behind him,' he added. On August 31, the office of the Karnataka Governor informed the high court that the sanction for prosecuting Siddaramaiah in the alleged Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam was issued after due consideration.

When questioned about the investigation's progress, Dr. G Parameshwara noted that various agencies have distinct mandates and will submit their findings to the court upon completion. In August, amidst the controversy over the Governor granting permission for Siddaramaiah's prosecution, state ministers and legislators conducted a 'Raj Bhavan Chalo' protest.

The Congress has accused the Governor of bias, alleging that he had not acted on several other pending cases. Protesters also called for the prosecution of Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy over a mining lease case. Gehlot permitted Siddaramaiah's prosecution concerning alleged corruption involving the allocation of land to his wife by the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA).

(With inputs from agencies.)