“Revenge politics, truth will emerge”: Karnataka CM after HC dismisses petition in MUDA ‘scam’

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], September 24 (ANI): Accusing the BJP and JD(S) of “misusing” Raj Bhavan to level false accusations and disrupt the Karnataka government, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, facing prosecution in the alleged MUDA land ‘scam’, lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party’s “revenge politics” on Tuesday and expressed confidence in the judicial system.

In a post on X, the Karnataka CM said that he would consult legal experts to assess the legality of the investigation against him.

“I have learned about the High Court’s order through media reports. A formal response will follow after thoroughly reading the full judgement. However, it is clear that the court has dismissed the prosecution granted by the Governor under Section 218 of the BNSS Act. The honourable judge limited the decision only to Section 17(A). I have no objection to any investigation, but I will consult legal experts to determine whether such an investigation is legally valid. After these discussions, I will decide the next steps in this legal battle,” CM Siddaramaiah said.

He further said that the complainant had sought investigation and prosecution under Sections 218 of the BNSS Act, 17(A), and 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

“Initially, the Governor had rejected the request for prosecution under Section 19. Today, the Honourable Court has clearly rejected the prosecution approval granted under Section 218 BNSS Act. I am confident that, in due time, the truth will emerge, and the investigation under Section 17(A) will also be dismissed. This political battle isn’t just about me–it’s a fight against the BJP’s vendetta politics, orchestrated by Narendra Modi’s Government,” he added.

The Karnataka CM claimed that the BJP and JD(S) are targeting him because he stands for the poor and fights for social justice.

“They have launched political retribution against me because they can’t bear to see the pro-people schemes we have introduced. But I have unwavering faith in the law and our Constitution. Ultimately, the truth will prevail in this fight. I want the people of Karnataka to recognise the truth behind these fabricated allegations regarding the MUDA case. The BJP and JD(S) are attempting to stop the pro-poor schemes of our government. The same leaders now calling for my resignation are the ones who opposed every initiative I introduced for the poor and marginalised,” he said.

CM Siddaramaiah said that he will fight this legal battle and emerge stronger.

“Yet, the people of Karnataka gave us a resounding mandate with 136 seats in the recent elections, voting decisively against Operation Lotus. Throughout my 40-year political career, I have faced many such political conspiracies. With the blessings of the people of Karnataka, I have always emerged victorious, and I am confident I will triumph again. The BJP has never gained a clear majority in Karnataka on its own; they have only come to power through unethical means like Operation Lotus. Today, frustrated by their defeat, BJP and JD(S) are misusing Raj Bhavan to make false accusations and disrupt our government. But we will fight this legal battle and emerge stronger,” the Karnataka CM said.

“Under @narendramodi’s leadership, the @BJP4India has been misusing the office of the Governor across the country to destabilise opposition governments. This is not just happening in Karnataka–it’s a nationwide strategy. But the people of Karnataka, along with our @INCIndia party, MLAs, and workers, stand firm with me. We will not let this political conspiracy succeed. I have complete trust in the judiciary, and I am confident that in the end, justice will prevail!” he added.

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday dismissed Siddaramaiah’s petition challenging Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot’s approval for an investigation into alleged illegalities in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority’s (MUDA) allotting sites to his wife.

In his judgement, the single judge bench of Justice Nagaprasanna said that the order of sanction for prosecution does not suffer from non-application of mind by the Governor.

It is alleged that MUDA illegally allotted 14 sites to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife in the prime location of Mysuru city. The High Court, in its interim order passed on August 19, had granted a temporary relief to Siddaramaiah by directing a special court in Bengaluru to defer further proceedings and not to take any precipitative action pursuant to the sanction granted by the Governor.