‘No Evidence, Pure Political Drama’: DK Shivakumar Backs Siddaramaiah Amidst MUDA Land Scam Allegations

Amid MUDA scam case row, Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar expresses support for CM Siddaramaiah. Shivakumar denies any wrongdoing, labeling the allegations a "political drama" by the opposition BJP.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has expressed his support for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah amidst the ongoing political controversy surrounding the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam. Speaking in an interview with India Today TV, Shivakumar affirmed that the Congress party is "100 per cent" behind the Chief Minister, insisting that there is "no evidence to prove" any wrongdoing by Siddaramaiah.

"There is no question of resignation. The law of the country will protect my Chief Minister. There is no evidence to prove that my Chief Minister has done anything wrong... This is purely a political drama (by the BJP) that is going on," Shivakumar stated.

Shivakumar also dismissed any concerns about his own ambitions to become Chief Minister, remarking, "It's up to the high command's will." He reiterated that from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to grassroots party workers, everyone stands firmly with Siddaramaiah.

The controversy escalated following Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot's sanction order permitting the prosecution of Siddaramaiah. The Congress party criticised the Governor's decision, contrasting it with the delay in prosecuting Union Minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy in a mining scam. "The BJP wants to do politics, and they want to divide the party... Kumaraswamy will backstab the BJP also. He's dictating terms to the BJP now," Shivakumar said, labelling the BJP leaders as "cunning foxes of the state", as quoted by India Today.

Shivakumar further accused the BJP of attempting to destabilise the Karnataka government, alleging, "They tried to poach MLAs."

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Gets Temporary Reprieve In High Court

In a significant development, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday got a temporary reprieve from the High Court. The court directed a special court to defer the proceedings against him in the MUDA site allotment scam until August 29. This directive came as a relief to Siddaramaiah, who had challenged the legality of the Governor's sanction order in the High Court. The Chief Minister's petition argued that the Governor’s decision was issued without due application of mind, violated statutory mandates, and disregarded the advice of the Council of Ministers, which is binding under Article 163 of the Constitution of India. news agency PTI reported.

Justice M Nagaprasanna, who presided over the hearing, stated that no injunction had been granted but instructed the special court to postpone the proceedings, as per PTI. Siddaramaiah, in response, vowed to fight the matter both legally and politically, asserting that such challenges fuel his 'josh' (enthusiasm, passion).

This legal battle has intensified the already heated political rivalry between the Congress and the BJP, with both parties taking to the streets in protest. While the BJP has demanded Siddaramaiah's resignation, the ruling Congress party has condemned Governor Gehlot's actions as politically motivated.

The case is now set to be revisited on August 29, when the High Court will continue hearing Siddaramaiah's petition.