Karnataka Cabinet Condemns Governor’s Grant of Prosecution Against CM

Bengaluru:The Karnataka cabinet on Saturday passed a resolution condemning the decision of Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to grant prosecution sanction against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah based on petitions in connection with alleged irregularities in allotment of plots to wife of Chief Minister by Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) in Mysuru city.

After the emergency cabinet in Bengaluru, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said “Chief Minister will not resign under any circumstances” and asserted the party and cabinet stand by Siddaramaiah.

“It is a firm decision that the Chief Minister will not resign,” reiterated Shivakumar and stated the Cabinet meeting condemned the grant of prosecution against the Chief Minister by the Governor since the prosecution sanction is “unconstitutional” and “anti-democratic.”

“Being a Constitutional head the Governor has brought disgrace to the office,” he stated and observed the Governor has not followed the procedure before grant of prosecution under section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah termed the grant of prosecution against him by the Governor is ‘politically motivated” and asserted to challenge the prosecution in the court of law.

He stated there has been no inquiry or investigation against me to allow the Governor to accord sanction to prosecute him. Besides, there is no letter or documents to establish my involvement in any irregularities.

When queried on demand from opposition to tender resignation, Siddaramaiah said “For what reason should I resign? " and in turn stated that the Governor should resign accusing the Governor of dancing to the tunes of Janata Dal Secular and Bharatiya Janata Party. He termed the Governor a “puppet of the Government of India.”

He questioned “What offence I have committed (to resign)?” and stated “I was aware of the sanction for my prosecution since a big conspiracy was going on.”

Apart from waging a legal battle, he said to take to the streets as well as against the grant of prosecution against him.

Siddaramaiah observed the Congress party will emerge stronger than before especially after JDS-BJP levelled false allegations against him while both the JDS and BJP are getting exposed for their misendeavours.

He said the valedictory function of JDS and BJP padayatra from Bengaluru to Mysuru to demand his resignation was attended by about 30,000 people in Mysuru city while the Congress party’s public meeting in Mysuru drew about 1.5 lakh people to the venue. “It shows that people's blessings are on the Congress party,” said the Chief Minister.