Published Aug 23, 2024 | 6:51 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 23, 2024 | 6:51 PM
Congress party unites expressing solidarity with the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the MUDA case. (Supplied)
As the political storm in Karnataka reaches a fever pitch following the allegations against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the Congress is putting up a united front in support of the senior leader, with top leaders flying to Delhi to strategise the actions to be taken against the state Governor with the party high command.
Following a show of unity at the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting on Thursday, 22 August, Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar are seeking guidance from the party’s central leadership on how to navigate the escalating tussle with Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and the Opposition BJP-JD(S) alliance.
Meanwhile, the chief minister and deputy chief minister are likely to seek a nod from the party high command on meeting President of India Draupadi Murmur on the Governor’s issue and stage a protest against Thaawarchand Gehlot in Delhi.
With the state party leadership instructing legislators to stand firmly behind the chief minister, Congress is regrouping to speak in one tone, launching counter-protests and accusing the BJP of exploiting the Governor’s office for political gain for the past few weeks.
The chief minister and deputy chief minister will meet with AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and other central leaders to discuss the Governor’s issue.
Before his departure to Delhi, Shivakumar told reporters in Bengaluru: “We have to inform our high command about how the Governor’s office is being misused. He has returned 15 Bills.”
“If there are any clarifications, let him ask for it. We won’t say it is wrong. If the bills are being returned then why should there be a government in this democracy?” he questioned.
“On the directions of the BJP MLAs, if he returns the bills. How is it possible? There are several issues. We will discuss (with the high command),” Shivakumar said adding that he would pray to god so that the Governor regained his senses.
Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar will all likely seek permission from the party high command to stage a protest against the Governor in front of Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi. This was proposed by several party MLAs during the CLP meeting chaired on Thursday.
On condition of anonymity, a senior Congress MLC told South First: “The chief minister and deputy chief minister are flying to Delhi mainly to discuss the ongoing tussle between the state government and Governor over various issues.”
“The state leadership will be mainly briefing the high command about the Governor’s unlawful nod to prosecute CM Siddaramaiah in the MUDA case, returning 15 Bills that were passed in the House and delaying in permitting the prosecution of the three BJP leaders and a JD(S) leader,” the MLC said.
“In the meantime, on the suggestion of MLAs in the CLP meet, the state leadership will seek permission to stage a one-day protest against the Governor in front of Rashtrapati Bhavan and also bring this to the notice of the President of India (Droupadi Murmu). Cabinet reshuffle is not on the agenda as the situation in the state is still grim,” elaborated the senior lawmaker.
At the CLP meeting, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, who also heads the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), instructed party ministers, MLAs, and MLCs to rally behind the chief minister in the ongoing MUDA case, demonstrating united support.
Amidst the ongoing tussle between the state government and the Governor, the Cabinet meeting had gained significance. Except for six first-time MLAs, who are undergoing training in Delhi, everyone turned up for the CLP meeting.
Minister for Higher Education Dr MC Sudhakar told South First: “The chief minister briefed the legislators about the MUDA case and political developments happening surrounding it. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have given strict instructions to the legislators to stand with the Chief Minister and party, irrespective of developments about the case.”
The party leadership stated it was a politically motivated action by the Governor.
“The MLAs were asked to defend the chief minister and the government against the BJP’s baseless allegations. Senior MLA RV Deshpande proposed a resolution and KPCC working president Tanveer Sait gave a nod to it,” the minister said and added that the state leadership has asked to stand in solidarity with the Chief Minister.
Karnataka Legislative Council’s ruling party chief whip and MLC Saleem Ahmed told South First: “The chief minister briefed about the whole MUDA issue and reiterated that nobody is involved in this. Then the resolution was moved to condemn the Governor’s order for prosecution.”
“The instructions were also given to the legislators to go aggressive against the Opposition parties, highlighting the scandals that occurred during the BJP’s regime in Karnataka. He also asked to highlight the Governor’s delay in permitting prosecution of the BJP leaders in various cases,” the senior MLC said.
Ahmed added that all the legislators expressed solidarity with the chief minister.
Following the joint protests by BJP and JD(S) against Siddaramaiah, Congress legislators, leaders, and workers have closed ranks, are showing unity and strongly rallying behind the chief minister in a display of unwavering support.
As the NDA alliance intensifies its efforts to oust Siddaramaiah from the chief minister’s position, the ruling Congress party is simultaneously launching counter-protests against BJP leaders, accusing them of misusing the Governor’s office for political gains.
Bailhongal MLA Mahantesh Koujalagi told South First: “There might be differences between the MLAs and Ministers over various matters. But it is the time to debunk the fake narrative being constructed by the opposition parties against the Chief Minister in the MUDA case.”
“It is the time for the party legislators and workers to display solidarity with the chief minister. We have not been given any instructions by the central leadership to stand with Siddaramaiah.”
“The time has come to show our support to the undisputed leader of this state. Some of the MLAs have suggested meeting the President of India (Draupadi Murmur) on the matter. The state leadership will take a call after meeting the party high command,” Koujalagi said.
He reiterated that the party is unified in expressing solidarity with Siddaramaiah.
AICC Secretary Mansoor Khan told South First: “The entire party is behind the chief minister. CM Siddaramaiah not only represents Congress but also Kannadigas and their aspirations. From deputy CM to ministers to MLAs to party leaders to workers are standing in support of our chief minister.”
“Based on the private complaint, the Governor permitted prosecution of the chief minister. On the other hand, the Karnataka Lokayukta and other investigative agencies are seeking a nod from the Governor for the prosecution of three BJP and one JD(S) leaders. Why is the Governor not acting against the BJP?” asked Mansoor, who added that the party is united.
It is also important to note that it is not just Congress unified and has launched a protest against the BJP and JD(S), but also several AHINDA (a Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits) groups have come together on the streets and staged hunger strike condemning the Governor’s order against Siddaramaiah in the last two weeks.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)
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