Karnataka MUDA case LIVE updates: BJP trying to destabilise Karnataka govt, says CM Siddaramaiah on HC order

In Hubli, Karnataka, BJP workers organised a demonstration calling for the resignation of chief minister Siddaramaiah. This protest came after the Karnataka high court dismissed Siddaramaiah's petition that challenged the Governor's approval for an investigation into his alleged involvement in the MUDA land scam.

The BJP activists gathered to voice their demands, insisting that the CM step down from his position in light of the court's decision.

Krishna Byre Gowda, a minister from Karnataka, commented on a recent high court decision regarding an investigation. He said that, " High court has said that a preliminary investigation can proceed so let it take place, if there is any wrongdoing it will come out in the preliminary investigation...The high court has specifically set aside the permission for prosecution that was illegally given by the Governor."

Chief minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah expressed his determination to face the challenges head-on, refusing to be intimidated by the alleged conspiracy involving the BJP, JD(S), and the Governor's office.

Siddaramaiah further added that, "Why should I resign? HD Kumaraswamy is on bail. Did he resign? In an inquiry stage, how come the resignation point arises? We will face them politically."

CM Siddaramaiah said, "On my written petition, the high court has given the verdict. The Governor gave sanction for prosecution and I questioned this in the high court. After the arguments, the verdict was given today and I have seen that through the media. I am yet to read the whole judgement and I will give full details later."

It is not a prosecution. I will discuss with legal experts & ministers how to fight this, and take a further call. We will not be scared of BJP and JD(S) conspiracy, as well as that of the Governor's office. People have blessed us. I have their blessing. I also have the high command and party leaders backing me: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

The Karnataka high court has dealt a significant blow to chief minister Siddaramaiah by rejecting his petition that challenged the Governor's sanction to probe complaints against him in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) alternative sites controversy.

BJP leader & union minister Shobha Karandlaje says, 'The land which belongs to Dalits was allotted to CM Siddaramaiah's wife...CM Siddaramaiah always misused his position and he should immediately resign to ensure an impartial investigation...'

Now impartial investigation has to be started after filing the FIR against the CM. When his name is involved, his wife's name is there, I insist the CM to resign immediately on moral grounds. He has to allow an impartial investigation of MUDA scam. It is a landmark decision and it has been pronounced by the High Court as per the legal purview: BJP MP Jagadish Shettar

We welcome this. Law is the same for everyone. Is there a separate law for Siddaramaiah? This does not happen in this country. Constitution is the same for everyone. Corruption has taken place. He should resign. Is corruption politically motivated? Did we tell him to do corruption?. Did Opposition tell him to do that? We didn't tell him to do that. They did that and now they are accusing the BJP. I would like to give them one suggestion, resign to save your dignity: BJP leader CT Ravi

Congress party should apologise to the Governor's office for the pressure that was made by them. If they have any moral right CM Siddaramaiah should resign. Legal fights can happen after resignation as well: BJP MP Lahar Singh Siroya

The Karnataka high court is set to deliver its judgment at 12pm on Tuesday on the petition submitted by chief minister Siddaramaiah that challenges the consent given by governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot to initiate a probe against the CM in the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) alternative-site allotment case.

He is a 'clean hand' chief minister. We don't find a chief minister like this. He is a 100% clean-handed man. BJP people are the most corrupt people in India, there is no value to their words. Now, the single judge bench has upheld Governor's permission. There is double bench, full bench, Supreme Court. We will fight. BJP doesn't have the moral right to ask Siddaramaiah's resignation. Not only Congress but the entire cabinet, MLAs and High Command will stand by CM Siddaramaiah. Why should he resign? There is a denotification case regarding Yediyurappa and Kumaraswamy, let them resign first: Karnataka minister Ramalinga Reddy

The Congress party must tell us after the verdict of the Karnataka High Court is it tenable for CM Siddaramaiah to continue? Siddaramaiah must step down. He looted the land which was meant for people from the SC/ST community. Rs 5000 crore worth of corruption was done in the MUDA scam. Family and friends of Siddaramaiah benefitted. Congress party does not care about the people from the SC/ST community. Will Rahul Gandhi take action on the 'bhrashtachar ki dukaan': BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla

We have faith in the law. We will fight it out. We will question (the judgement) in the double bench, other bench and Supreme Court. We stand with the CM: Karnataka minister Ramalinga Reddy

Karnataka minister HK Patil arrives at the residence of chief minister Siddaramaiah, in Bengaluru. Karnataka HC dismissed the petition by CM Siddaramaiah challenging the governor's sanction for his prosecution in the alleged MUDA scam.

The writ petition challenging the order of approval passed by Karnataka Governor has been dismissed and the summary of the judgment would be that the facts envisaged in the complaint would undoubtedly warrant investigation. Secondly, the act of the complainant seeking approval from the Governor is lawful. The sanction granted is upheld by the High Court. They sought for extension of stay pending appeal period, they sought the extension of stay period for about 2 weeks which the Court denied stating that the interim order which existed in the favour of the petitioner would also be dissolved. As of now, there is no difficulty for the special court of legislators to proceed with the complaint in accordance with the law. As of now, the Lokayukta would be brought into the picture before special court and thereafter we would think of whether to get it referred to CBI or any other investigation authority: Advocate Ranganath Reddy, representing TJ Abraham

In a big setback for chief minister Siddaramaiah, the Karnataka high court on Tuesday dismissed his petition challenging the sanction accorded by governor Taawarchand Gehlot to investigate the complaints against him in connection with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) alternative sites controversy.

The confrontation between the Siddaramaiah-led govt and governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot took another turn for the worse with the govt contemplating filing a formal complaint with President Droupadi Murmu over what it called Gehlot’s “interference in state administration”.

Karnataka minister Dinesh Gundurao on Tuesday said that the real issue involved in governor Taawarchand Gehlot's sanction to investigate chief minister Siddaramaiah in the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority scam is about the misuse of governor's office. Gundurao remarks came as the Karnataka High Court is set to pronounce today its verdict on the petition filed by Siddaramaiah challenging the approval given by the governor for conducting investigation against him in the alleged illegalities in MUDA allotting sites to his wife.

Here the issue is not about the MUDA. It is about the way the Raj Bhavan and Governor are functioning and how his office is misused. And we are seeing it on a day-to-day basis now. The way he is behaving is awkward, and it is against constitutional norms. Now, whatever the verdict, the law will take its course. There is no problem about that. The CM is very confident about his innocence. We are very confident about his innocence. And whatever happens, we will face it. But here the situation is with the BJP, the opposition. The central government is trying to destabilise the government. They're trying to create confusion. They want the administration gets derailed, and development doesn't happen in Karnataka: Karnataka health minister Dinesh Gundurao

The Karnataka high court will pronounce its verdict at 12 noon Tuesday on the petition filed by chief minister Siddaramaiah challenging the approval granted by governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot to investigate him in the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) alternative-site allotment case.

• Home minister G Parameshwara Monday also criticised the governor’s involvement in day-to-day governance. “The governor’s position is a responsible and respectable one. He is the constitutional head, but for day-to-day administration, executive powers rest with the chief minister and his council of ministers. All of this is well-defined,” Parameshwara said, adding that in his 35 years in politics, he had “never seen a governor interfere in such a manner”.
• Parameshwara also hinted that the govt may simply ignore some letters from the governor, insisting that the govt will carefully evaluate which issues require a response. “If it is not mandatory, we will not reply. There is no law that requires us to respond to everything,” he said, noting that the matter would be discussed at cabinet meetings.

BJP MP Lahar Singh Siroya condemned Congress for targeting governor Gehlot. “It is an old trick of Congress to attack constitutional authorities when their misdeeds are brought to light. In Karnataka, Congress functionaries, including chief minister Siddaramaiah, are targeting the governor as many corruption cases are piling up before him,” Siroya said.

BJP on Tuesday criticised the govt for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, claiming group clashes and crimes are going unchecked because Congress is worried over whether Siddaramaiah would continue as chief minister.