The Opposition BJP in Karnataka staged a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday after a Special Court in Bengaluru ordered a Lokayukta police investigation into his involvement in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment case. The protest, held in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Vidhana Soudha, was led by Leader of Opposition R Ashoka and Legislative Council member Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, and was joined by several BJP lawmakers and leaders.
Holding placards and shouting slogans, the BJP members called for Siddaramaiah’s immediate resignation following the court's directive to file an FIR against him. The probe was ordered in response to allegations of irregularities in MUDA site allotments during Siddaramaiah's tenure as the Chief Minister.
In response to the protests, CM Siddaramaiah firmly rejected the demand for his resignation, stating, "I won't resign. Why should I? There are allegations against HD Kumaraswamy, did he resign? Let him resign first, and let Modi seek his resignation."
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar dismissed the protest as mere political theatrics and accused the BJP of attempting to stir up unnecessary controversy. "This is all a political drama. There are many cases against BJP leaders and central ministers. Have any of them resigned? There is no need for the Chief Minister to step down. The entire party, from Delhi to the grassroots, stands united with him," Shivakumar said, affirming that there was no question of Siddaramaiah resigning over the matter.