India: Karnataka CM calls governor’s prosecution nod in MUDA case 'anti-Constitutional'

Chief Minister of the Indian state of Karnataka,Siddaramaiah on Saturday (Aug 17)said he had done "no wrong" calling thegovernor's decision"anti-Constitution" and "against the law". This comeshours afterGovernor Thaawarchand Gehlotgranted permission forCM's prosecution in the allegedMysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment scam.

The opposition parties in the state have since demanded Siddaramaiah's resignation in response to which he told reporters, "It will be questioned in court. I have done no wrong to resign." He added, "The entire Cabinet, party high command, all MLAs, MLCs, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs are with me."

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The CM accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)), and opposition parties in the state of conspiring against him to dislodge a democratically elected government.

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There have been several petitions and complaints filed by activists against the illegal allotment of sites. Last month, a complaint was filed with Lokayukta police, naming Siddaramaiah, his wife, son S Yathindra, and senior MUDA officials. The complaint stated that the allotment of 14 alternative sites to the CM's wife Parvathi, in an upscale area of Mysore was illegal and caused a loss of Rs 45 crores ($53,65,080).

Activist Snehamayi Krishna also accused Siddaramaiah, his wife, and MUDA officials, of involvement in the land scam. The CM has since claimed that the land was gifted to his wife by her brother Mallikarjun in 1998.

However, according to Krishna, Mallikarjun procured the land illegally in 2004 by submitting the forged documents with the help of government officials.

The governor sanctioned the prosecution of CM Siddaramaiah in the alleged land scam, based on the petitions filed by the activists.

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Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar spoke in support of Siddaramaiah and called it a conspiracy against the CM. He also said that the state government will support Siddaramaiah by all means.

Shivakumar told reporters that the state government will support the CM, calling the accusations in connection with the alleged MUDA scam "politically motivated". He further said at the press conference that Siddaramaiah will not resign.

Krishna Byregowda, a Karnataka minister, said that the governor's method is illegal.

(With inputs from agencies)