Karnataka Ministers Urge Governor to Withdraw Notice to CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru: The Council of Ministers on Thursday urged Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to withdraw a show cause notice served against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on July 26 accusing him and his family members of committing irregularities in allotment of plots in Mysuru city by Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) amounting to offences under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and various provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The show cause to Chief Minister was served based on a petition by activist T.J. Abraham on July 26.
The Bharatiya Janata Party leaders of Karnataka accuse Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi was allotted 14 sites for her sacrificing 3.16 acres in Kesare area of Mysuru city and in lieu of land sacrificed by her, MUDA gave 14 plots in Mysuru city illegally.
After a lengthy cabinet meeting in Bengaluru, Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, at a press conference, termed the move of the Governor to serve show cause notice to the Chief Minister as 'murder of democracy' and said the Council of Ministers asked the Governor to reject the petition of activist T.J. Abraham for sanction against Chief Minister.
The cabinet meeting termed the action of Governor of acting in haste and failed to apply his mind to the facts of the case and not consider the material available on record before serving show cause to Chief Minister.
The meeting found the Governor had not applied his mind since the Chief Secretary in his reply to the Governor stated the Governor’s direction was already acted upon by the State Government by way of constitution of a Judicial Commission under Justice P.N. Desai to investigate the alleged irregularities in the distribution of ploys by MUDA.
The cabinet meeting observed Governor’s action was ‘premature’ since the petitioner had filed a complaint to the Lokayuktha police on July 18, 2024 and Governor failed to take note of the fact that allegations made by the petitioner does not reveal any offence punishable under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 or the provisions of Bharat Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
The meeting drew the attention of Governor to the antecedents of the petitioner having criminal cases of blackmail and extortion registered against him and his conduct in misusing the public interest litigation has been frowned upon by the Supreme Court imposing penalties on him.
Accusing the Governor of throwing all procedural requirements to wind, the Cabinet meeting pointed out the Governor went ahead with the issue of show cause notice on the same day (July 26) he received the petition.
The cabinet meeting found gross misuse of Constitutional office of the Governor and a concerted effort is being made to destabilize a lawfully elected majority State Government led by the Congress party in Karnataka.
In reply to a query, D.K. Shivakumar exuded confidence the Governor will act keeping in mind the dignity of the post. The Chief Secretary has submitted a detailed report while Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will also come up with answers.
“The Governor has to take a cautious step since it involves judiciary, Constitutional and democratic aspects,” said the Deputy Chief Minister to another query.
Shivakumar wanted to know from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders “What wrong as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah done?” and alleged “By lodging a false petition against the Chief Minister an attempt is being made to destabilize a duly elected government in Karnataka.”
He expressed confidence that opposition parties would not succeed in bringing the State Government in Karnataka and accused petitioner T.J. Abraham registered complaints against many leaders including BJP leader and former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and there are instances where Court decisions have come against the T.J. Abraham.
