Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah refuses to resign amid MUDA controversy, defends himself against opposition

Karnataka News: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah firmly dismissed demands for his resignation on Thursday, denying any wrongdoing in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case. The controversy surrounds the allotment of 14 sites to his wife, which the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claims was handled improperly. Siddaramaiah labeled the allegations a "political conspiracy" orchestrated by the BJP.

“There is no question of resigning because I have done no wrong,” Siddaramaiah asserted. He referenced Narendra Modi’s tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister during the 2002 Godhra riots, questioning why Modi did not resign then. “...[Union minister HD] Kumaraswamy, who is in Narendra Modi’s government, is on bail. Has he resigned?”

Siddaramaiah resolves to fight legally

The Karnataka CM vowed to fight the charges legally, stating, “I would not resign. Let them get Kumaraswamy’s resignation; he is on bail. He is in whose Cabinet...in which government? He should [resign first]. Did Modi resign? Despite hundreds of people dying, he did not resign. I have done no wrong. There is no need for me to resign.”

Siddaramaiah's comments followed a special court's order on Wednesday instructing the Lokayukta Police to investigate the allegations related to the MUDA case. The Karnataka government is expected to challenge the high court’s decision to uphold the governor's sanction for prosecution in the coming days.

BJP protests for resignation

Meanwhile, the BJP staged a protest in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Vidhana Soudha, demanding Siddaramaiah’s resignation. BJP leader R Ashoka argued, “Two court orders have come against Siddaramaiah... they have found truth in allegations and said they need to be investigated. The chief minister should resign.”