Vikrant Shekhawat : Sep 24, 2024, 03:40 PM
CM Siddaramaiah: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has suffered a major setback as the Karnataka High Court has dismissed his petition in the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case. In this case, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot had given permission to prosecute Siddaramaiah, which the Chief Minister had challenged in the court. The Nagaprasanna Bench of the High Court dismissed this petition, which has now created new difficulties for Siddaramaiah.Governor's approval and background of the petitionGovernor Thaawarchand Gehlot on August 16 granted permission to prosecute Siddaramaiah under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and the Indian Civil Protection Code, 2023 on the basis of petitions filed by Pradeep Kumar S.P., T.J. Abraham, and Snehmayi Krishna. It was alleged that there were irregularities in the allotment of land to Siddaramaiah's wife BM Parvati in a posh area of Mysore. It is also alleged that this land was acquired by MUDA, and Parvati was given plots on special terms in exchange for 3.16 acres of land.Siddaramaiah's challenge in courtSiddaramaiah approached the High Court on August 19 challenging the Governor's decision. He termed the Governor's order as 'without consideration' and 'violating constitutional rules' and sought its cancellation. However, the High Court dismissed this petition and upheld the Governor's decision.BJP's counterattackAfter the High Court's decision, the BJP targeted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The party said that now Siddaramaiah has no other option left except to resign. The BJP also alleged that it is morally wrong for the Chief Minister, who is facing serious allegations of corruption, to continue in office.Congress's protestThe Congress had protested against this decision of the Governor. In August, Congress MLAs and ministers had staged a 'Raj Bhavan Chalo' protest. The party accused the Governor of adopting a discriminatory attitude and said that he did not take any action on other pending cases, while immediate permission was given in Siddaramaiah's case.Way forwardAfter this decision of the High Court, clouds of crisis seem to be looming over the political career of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Now it remains to be seen whether he knocks the door of the Supreme Court against this decision or tries to deal with this issue together with his government and party.This case can prove to be a big turning point in the politics of Karnataka, and its far-reaching political consequences can also be seen.