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Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Faces Resignation Demands Amid Land Scam Allegations

  • 26 Sep 2024 08:03 AM
  • Siddaramaiah, Karnataka politics, MUDA land scam

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is under increasing pressure to resign as allegations surrounding the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam escalate. Following a trial court's order to file charges, opposition parties, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal Secular, have intensified their calls for his resignation.

Adding to the pressure, veteran Congress leader KB Koliwad, a five-time MLA and former Assembly Speaker, publicly suggested that Siddaramaiah should step down to avoid further embarrassment for the party. "He can be Chief Minister again after he clears this blemish... this is my personal request," Koliwad stated, emphasizing the political implications of the court's decisions.

The Karnataka High Court recently dismissed Siddaramaiah's challenge against a prosecution order from Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, allowing for an inquiry into allegations that the Chief Minister's wife, Parvathi, received multiple plots of land in exchange for state land, potentially costing the government ₹4,000 crore.

Despite these challenges, Siddaramaiah has firmly denied any wrongdoing, insisting he has not been convicted and questioning why he should resign when other leaders, such as former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, have not done so despite facing legal issues. He maintains that he will seek legal recourse by appealing the High Court's decision to the Supreme Court.

For now, he retains the backing of the Congress party and key figures like Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who has stated that the party will stand by Siddaramaiah during this turbulent period. Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed has highlighted that similar allegations have also affected leaders from other parties, including the BJP and JDS, suggesting a broader context of political maneuvering at play.