K’taka CM Siddaramaiah rejects OPPN’s resignation request over HC verdict
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah | (Photo: PTI)
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has accused the Narendra Modi-led NDA government of engaging in vendetta against opposition-led state governments, including his own. The chief minister on Tuesday rejected the opposition’s bid to resign. The Supreme Court had dismissed his petition challenging the governor’s approval for an inquiry against him in a land allotment case.
Siddaramaiah alleged that the opposition was plotting against him and his government, but while he claimed that he would confront them politically, he said he would decide his next course of action and legal battle after consulting legal experts and party leaders. “I still say I have done nothing wrong…..”
Earlier today, the Supreme Court dismissed his petition challenging the Governor’s approval for an inquiry against him in the case over allotment of plots by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
He repeatedly referred to the court order which stated that “the order (of the High Court) is construed as restricting approval (for investigation) under Section 17A of the (Prevention of Corruption) Act and not as an order granting Sanction 218 of BNSS (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita).”
“Why should I resign? Has (HD) Kumaraswamy (Union Minister) resigned? He is on bail, ask him… it is only said that an inquiry should be done. Is there a demand for resignation at the inquiry stage itself? I will answer them… we will meet them politically because it is a conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said in response to a question about opposition parties seeking his resignation.
He told reporters that he will decide on the next steps together with legal experts, ministers, party leaders and others.
Accusing the BJP and JD(S) of “conspiracy and misuse of Raj Bhavan”, the Prime Minister said he will not be afraid of them as the people of the state are behind him and he and his party have their blessings.
“All ministers, including the deputy CM, MLAs, party leaders, workers and the high command are with me. The high command will work with me to continue the legal battle,” he said.
“The Narendra Modi-led government is pursuing a policy of vendetta not only against me but also against opposition governments across the country,” he further said.
The CM alleged that the BJP and the JD(S) never came to power on the mandate of the people of Karnataka. He alleged that the BJP had tried to oust his government through “money power, Operation ‘Kamala’, but they had not succeeded.”
“BJP tried to buy our MLAs with money but was not successful. They are against the pro-poor schemes of our government. BJP is against the poor and social justice,” he said.
Siddaramaiah also alleged that the BJP — “just like they have done in other parts of the country” — wants to destabilise the Congress government in Karnataka by “bringing a bad name to the government”.
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First publication: Sep 24, 2024 | 5:06 PM IST