In a significant setback for Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, a special court has ordered the Lokayukta police to investigate him in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam. This follows the Karnataka High Court's decision on Tuesday, September 24, which upheld Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot's approval for the probe. The court dismissed Siddaramaiah’s petition, asserting that the Governor’s order did not lack merit or proper consideration.
Siddaramaiah had approached the high court on August 19, challenging the Governor’s sanction for an investigation into alleged irregularities regarding the allotment of 14 prime sites in Mysuru to his wife by MUDA.
Justice M Nagaprasanna, in his ruling, made it clear that the allegations outlined in the petition necessitated a thorough investigation. He emphasized that the primary beneficiary of the contentious acts was none other than the petitioner’s own family, leading to the dismissal of Siddaramaiah's plea. “Any interim orders currently in place are dissolved,” the judge added.
Congress Leader KC Venugopal Criticizes BJP
Reacting to the developments, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal took to social media to voice his concerns. In a post on X, he accused the Modi-Shah regime of misusing the Governor’s office, calling it a threat to India’s constitutional democracy. Venugopal pointed out that Governors, as symbolic heads, should refrain from interfering in the daily affairs of state governments and adhere strictly to the Constitution.
He further accused the Karnataka Governor of attempting to destabilize a “pro-people” government, led by Siddaramaiah, a leader who has risen from modest beginnings. Venugopal argued that this was part of the BJP's larger strategy to control Karnataka from Delhi, and described it as an attempt to force the state to “kneel before the Delhi durbar.”
Venugopal asserted that the Congress-led state government remains resilient and will not bow to what he described as “Delhi bullies.” He pledged that the party would fight both legally and politically against the Central Government’s “nefarious” designs.
Targeting the Tamil Nadu Governor
Venugopal didn’t stop at Karnataka, extending his criticism to the Tamil Nadu Governor, RN Ravi. He accused Ravi of shedding any pretense of neutrality and openly aligning with the ideology of the RSS. Venugopal reminded the Governor that secularism is a core tenet of the Indian Constitution, which he is sworn to uphold.
He also cautioned that no matter what the BJP-RSS attempts, India’s rich and enduring multicultural heritage cannot be dismantled. “History shows that India and its people have always rejected divisive politics, choosing instead to embrace inclusivity,” Venugopal concluded, underscoring the Congress party's commitment to secularism and national unity.
