Fri Sep 27 16:25:28 UTC 2024: ## Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Defends Himself Amidst Corruption Allegations, Blames BJP for Political Attack

Mysuru, Karnataka: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has vehemently refuted calls for his resignation in the wake of a special court’s order to register a case against him for alleged irregularities in land allotments by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).

Addressing reporters at Mysuru airport, Mr. Siddaramaiah challenged the BJP’s moral standing to demand his resignation, pointing out that Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, a member of the BJP-led central government, is currently out on bail in a separate corruption case.

“The BJP is seeking my resignation only to destabilize the Congress government in Karnataka,” Mr. Siddaramaiah asserted, emphasizing the BJP’s inability to replicate their “Operation Kamala” strategy, which involves poaching MLAs from the ruling party, due to the Congress’s strong majority in the state assembly.

He reiterated his innocence in the MUDA case, vowing to fight the allegations legally. While maintaining that he has never acted against the Constitution or the law, he accused the BJP of being riddled with corrupt leaders.

Mr. Siddaramaiah further accused the BJP of targeting him out of fear, stating that the MUDA case is the first politically motivated case against him in his political career.

The Chief Minister also addressed the ongoing confrontation between the Karnataka Governor and the Congress government, highlighting the Governor’s role as a nominated official without a popular mandate. He asserted that the Governor cannot interfere with the state’s administration, reiterating the Congress government’s mandate from the people of Karnataka.

Mr. Siddaramaiah blamed the BJP-led central government for misusing agencies like the CBI, ED, and the Governor to target opposition-led state governments, including the Congress government in Karnataka.

Despite the controversy, Mr. Siddaramaiah expressed confidence in the Congress government’s support from the people of Karnataka. A large number of supporters gathered at the Mysuru airport to welcome the Chief Minister during his three-day visit, demonstrating their solidarity.

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