The Karnataka Congress has announced a statewide protest on Monday in response to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot’s approval of prosecution against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in connection with the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar confirmed that party workers and leaders will hold demonstrations at district centers across the state.
“On Monday, a state-wide protest will be organized against the Governor’s decision to grant prosecution permission against the Chief Minister. Our protest will be peaceful and based on Gandhian principles, though we remain cautious of potential disruptions by miscreants,” Shivakumar stated.
He added that Congress has already briefed All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Mallikarjun Kharge about the situation and ongoing developments. However, when asked about extending the protests nationwide, Shivakumar said that a decision on that would be made by the AICC.
Addressing the demands for CM Siddaramaiah’s resignation, Shivakumar dismissed the possibility, describing the situation as a “conspiracy” by the BJP to destabilize the Congress government in Karnataka by misusing the Governor’s office.
“There is no question of the CM resigning. The entire party and the government are firmly behind him. The INDIA alliance has also expressed its solidarity with the CM. These are false allegations, and we will fight them legally and politically,” Shivakumar asserted during a press conference at Vidhana Soudha alongside his Cabinet colleagues.
Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot granted permission for prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarika Suraksha Samhita, 2023. The order, issued by the Governor’s Secretariat on August 17, followed a complaint by social activist Snehamayi Krishna, alleging that CM Siddaramaiah and nine others forged documents to claim compensation from the MUDA.
The protests by Congress mark a significant escalation in the political tension surrounding the allegations, with the party firmly backing Siddaramaiah amidst calls from the opposition for his resignation.