The BJP-JD(S) coalition is building on the momentum of the Mysuru Chalo Padayatra and is calling for Siddaramaiah's resignation.
Published Aug 18, 2024 | 5:14 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 18, 2024 | 5:14 PM
BJP-JD(S) to intensify protest against the Siddaramaiah government over MUDA and Valmiki Corporation Scam. (Supplied)
Following the resounding success of the Mysuru Chalo Padayatra, the BJP and JD(S) in Karnataka decided to intensify their protest against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, seeking his ouster over the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam.
The NDA alliance in Karnataka is leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to hold Siddaramaiah, whose political career is largely described as untainted, accountable for the alleged irregularities, especially MUDA and Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Ltd.
BJP-JD(S) camp is brimming with joy since Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot allowed the prosecution of the Chief Minister in the alleged MUDA scam based on the complaint of advocate-activist TJ Abraham.
The NDA is building on the momentum of the Mysuru Chalo Padayatra by launching a two-pronged attack, intensifying protests calling for Siddaramaiah’s resignation, while also preparing to ramp up demonstrations against the Karnataka Valmiki Corporation scam shortly.
Meanwhile, JD(S) state president and Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries HD Kumaraswamy convened a party meeting on Sunday, 18 August, to chalk out strategies to continue their protest against the Siddaramaiah government over MUDA and Valmiki scam.
The NDA alliance is set to intensify their protests on Monday by staging a fresh demonstration demanding the resignation of Siddaramaiah.
Leaders of the BJP and JD(S) are gearing up to stage yet another protest against the chief minister at the Mahatma Gandhi statue in the Vidhana Soudha complex.
Former chief ministers BS Yediyurappa, Basavaraj Bommai and Kumaraswamy are expected to participate in the jointly held demonstration.
Karnataka Legislative Council’s Opposition leader Chaluvadi Narayanaswamy told South First that the chief minister should resign on moral grounds.
“When the Governor has sanctioned prosecution against the Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, taking moral and legal responsibility, should resign. If at all he wants, he can take up a legal battle after stepping down from his post. But he should first resign,” Narayanaswamy said.
“We have been protesting for the past month against the MUDA scam. On the approval of the party high command, the BJP’s Karnataka unit under the headship of BY Vijayendra and Opposition leader R Ashoka carried out Mysuru Chalo padayatra. It was a huge success,” he added.
“Aftermath of our padayatra, the Governor has sanctioned the prosecution against Siddaramaiah. This development is a big victory for the party. We will continue to protest until the Chief Minister resigns,” Narayanaswamy said and added that the Governor acted according to the Constitution.
When asked about the party’s plans regarding the alleged MUDA scam, he said: “We have already tasted a huge success in our first phase protest, with receiving overwhelming support for the padayatra.”
“Apart from the protest on Monday, we are also planning to stage another mega state-wide protest. Later this week, we will be urging our party workers at the taluka and district level to raise their voices and educate people about the irregularities committed by Siddaramaiah and his Cabinet colleagues.”
“We will also change the approach towards the Valmiki Scam as well. This government is full of scams. The SIT has only blamed the officials in its charge sheet and left out the former minister and MLA connected to the case,” Narayanaswamy said.
Karnataka Legislative Assembly’s Deputy Opposition leader Aravind Bellad reiterated the stance and called upon Siddaramaiah to resign.
“The Chief Minister must take responsibility for the scam and should resign. The party will not give up on its efforts until Siddaramaiah steps down. The Governor has acted as per the laws and permitted for the prosecution of the Chief Minister in the MUDA scam,” he told South First.
“We will take this issue before the people, by staging protests in talukas and districts. I would not like to comment on the Kudalasangama-Ballari padayatra over the Valmiki Scam proposal made by another section of the party leaders. We will abide by the decision of the party high command,” Bellad added.
While the BJP is largely intensifying their protest against the MUDA scam, its alliance partner — the JD(S) — has decided to raise their voice against the ₹90 crore Valmiki Corporation Scam.
Kumaraswamy chaired a party meeting with its leaders in Bengaluru on Sunday, to chalk out further strategies towards holding the Siddaramaiah government accountable not only in the MUDA scam but also in the Valmiki Corporation Scam.
JD(S) former minister Sa Ra Mahesh told South First: “We have been extending continuous support to our NDA alliance partner, the BJP in connection to the protests organised against the MUDA scam. The party has also put equal efforts in raising its voice on the alleged irregularities against the Siddaramaiah government.”
“Union Minister Kumaraswamy held a meeting with all the party leaders. He called for all the leaders and party workers to intensify their approach towards the irregularities in the Congress government. He focused on the protest against the Valmiki Corporation Scam,” Mahesh said.
“The party is thinking of staging a mega protest connected to the Valmiki Scam. The government has diverted the development grants meant for the STs and used them for the elections. This protest will be jointly (NDA) staged to raise the voice for the people of SCs and STs,” Mahesh added.
Stating that there are no disputes between BJP and JD(S), Karnataka Legislative Council’s Opposition party chief whip and MLC N Ravikumar told South First: “The JD(S) has joined hands with the BJP in all our protests against the Siddaramaiah government. We will continue to jointly stage protests against the irregularities of this government.”
“The chief minister honouring the Governor’s directive, must step down from his post and face it legally. When the chief minister was caught wearing a luxury watch, he admitted and returned it to the government.”
“In the MUDA scam, Siddaramaiah’s family got 14 sites in posh localities. Will he also return those 14 sites? Why did he demand ₹62 crore compensation in the beginning? When will he take responsibility and be accountable for these irregularities and resign?” questioned Ravikumar.
He also demanded the chief minister return the 14 sites.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)
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