Karnataka: BJP presses for CM Siddaramaiah’s resignation after HC dismisses petition against him

BENGALURU: After the Karnataka High Court upheld the Governor’s decision to allow the prosecution of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in connection with the alleged Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam the opposition parties demanded that he immediately step down.  This ruling marks a significant setback for the Chief Minister, with opposition parties now demanding his immediate resignation.

Following the court’s decision, BJP state president BY Vijayendra and opposition leader R Ashok held a press conference in Bengaluru, where they called for Siddaramaiah to step down. Vijayendra emphasized that the High Court’s decision validates the allegations of corruption and urged the Chief Minister to respect the legal process.

The High Court has upheld the Governor’s order for prosecution. It is now time for Siddaramaiah to resign from his post as Chief Minister, ” Vijayendra stated.

Opposition leader R Ashok echoed the call for resignation, declaring, “Truth has won. Siddaramaiah should immediately step down as Chief Minister. We will continue to fight until he resigns.” He added that the BJP would maintain pressure on the Congress government until justice is served.

The BJP took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express its stance on the ruling. In a post, the party said, “This is a victory for truth. Jayate, Jayate, Satyameva Jayate. Let Siddaramaiah bow down to the court order and immediately resign from the post of Chief Minister.”

The BJP also accused Siddaramaiah of illegally grabbing land meant for Dalits and the poor, calling for his prosecution. “We welcome the High Court’s permission to prosecute Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for illegally grabbing Dalit land and making sites that should have belonged to the poor in his own name,” the BJP tweeted.

The party also criticised Congress leaders, accusing them of engaging in “low-level politics” to protect their own interests, while asserting that the court ruling demonstrates that corruption has no place in India.

The allegations against Siddaramaiah stem from alleged irregularities in the allotment of replacement land by the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA). The opposition claims that the Chief Minister was involved in an illegal land allotment scheme, benefiting his associates at the expense of the Dalit community and other poor citizens.

The BJP has been vocal about this issue, even organizing a march from Bengaluru to Mysore to demand Siddaramaiah’s resignation over the alleged scam.

The High Court dismissed Siddaramaiah’s petition, which sought to challenge the Governor’s sanction for prosecution. The court stated that the allegations against the Chief Minister warranted investigation, especially given that his wife is reported to have been one of the beneficiaries of the land allotment.

The ruling has prompted widespread political fallout, with Siddaramaiah’s opponents capitalizing on the court’s decision to call for his resignation.

Snehamai Krishna, the complainant in the case, welcomed the High Court’s decision, stating that “truth has won.” He added, “The Governor’s order is legally binding, and we are happy that the High Court has upheld it. This is a victory for justice, and we will continue to fight until the investigation is complete.”

The Janata Dal (Secular) (JDS), an ally of the BJP in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), also demanded Siddaramaiah’s resignation. Taking to social media, the JDS referred to Siddaramaiah as “Whitener Ramaiah” with “black spots” of corruption.

JDS leaders mocked Siddaramaiah for previously claiming there was no scandal connected to MUDA, and stated that he had “no morals left” to continue in office. “Resign now to maintain your dignity,” the JDS demanded.

With the High Court’s ruling, the political pressure on Siddaramaiah has intensified. As the Chief Minister embarks on a tour of Kerala, opposition parties continue to ramp up their demands for his resignation, framing the case as a symbol of Congress’s alleged corruption.

The Karnataka High Court’s decision could have far-reaching consequences for the state’s political landscape, particularly with the upcoming elections on the horizon. The ongoing scrutiny of Siddaramaiah’s involvement in the MUDA land scam, coupled with the opposition’s demands, is expected to dominate political discourse in the weeks ahead.