August 19, 2024 — Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is set to move the Karnataka High Court on Monday, challenging the Governor’s decision to allow his prosecution in connection with alleged irregularities in a site allotment by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). The move comes amid rising political tensions as the Congress party accuses the opposition BJP of using the Governor’s office for political vendetta.

Siddaramaiah's legal team plans to seek the quashing of the Governor’s order, questioning the circumstances under which it was issued. A senior legal advisor to the CM expressed confidence that the order would not withstand judicial scrutiny. The Governor, being a senior statesman, should have recognized that his orders wouldn’t stand the scrutiny of the law. We will present our case before the court and get the order quashed, the advisor said.

 As the situation escalates, Siddaramaiah has called a Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting on August 22 to brief members on the developments. The controversy revolves around allegations that Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, was improperly allotted prime land in Mysuru in 2021, a move critics claim could have cost the state between 4,000 crore and 5,000 crore. The Congress has strongly denied these allegations, accusing the BJP of attempting to destabilize the state government.

In response to the Governor’s sanction, Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC President DK Shivakumar announced state-wide protest rallies on August 19, condemning the decision as an attack on democracy. Meanwhile, the BJP, led by Leader of Opposition R Ashoka, continues to demand Siddaramaiah’s resignation, calling for a thorough investigation into the alleged MUDA scam.

The unfolding political drama is expected to intensify in the coming days, with Siddaramaiah set to visit New Delhi on Tuesday to brief the party’s central leadership.