Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah to move High Court against governor's nod to prosecute him in MUDA 'scam': Report

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is set to move the High Court on Monday against Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot's nod to his prosecution in the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam, as per various media reports.

This comes after Gehlot on Saturday granted sanction for the prosecution of Siddaramaiah in the MUDA site allotment 'scam’ based on the complaints by three activists, T J Abraham, Pradeep S P and Snehamayi Krishna.

They had alleged that Siddaramaiah misused his position to get alternative sites to his wife Parvathi in the posh localities of Mysuru by creating fake documents.

The CM termed the sanction accorded by Karnataka Governor "illegal" and vowed to wage a legal battle and ruled out his resignation over the issue.

Siddaramaiah said on Saturday that the entire Cabinet, the Congress high-command and MLAs have expressed their solidarity with him. Speaking to reporters after a special Cabinet meeting, held hours after the sanction, the Chief Minister said: "Tell me why and for what reason should I resign?...the Governor has to resign because he has acted as a puppet in the hands of the Government of India."

Meanwhile, Congress in Karnataka is set to stage state-wide protests against the permission given by the Governor today.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is also the Congress state president, on Sunday said, "The protest rallies will be held in all district headquarters across the state. All party leaders and workers will participate."

Speaking to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence, he alleged that the Governor is making a case out of nothing. This is a "murder of democracy" and the Congress will protest against it.

Shivakumar said he has instructed the party leaders to carry out peaceful protests and ensure that anti-social elements do not infiltrate the rallies and create trouble.

The Deputy CM on Saturday called upon his party leaders and workers to take out a kilometre long march to the Taluk and district level offices and submit memoranda addressed to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, against the Governor's move.

Shivakumar said the Congress will fight against the conspiracy that aims to "finish off Siddaramaiah".

(With PTI inputs)