Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah defiant: Won’t resign, have done no wrong

BENGALURU: Chief minister Siddaramaiah dismissed opposition calls for his resignation following the Karnataka high court's order for an investigation into the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (Muda) scam.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Siddaramaiah maintained his innocence, claiming the court's order for a probe did not imply guilt. "The court has given its verdict to investigate the case against me.I won't resign as I have done no wrong," the CM stated, shortly after the verdict.
Drawing parallels to Union minister HD Kumaraswamy, currently out on bail in an alleged illegal mining case, Siddaramaiah argued, "Kumaraswamy is out on bail. Did anyone demand his resignation? The court has only ordered an inquiry into the Muda case. That does not mean I am guilty."
Siddaramaiah pointed out that the court's order was issued under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act, which mandates an investigation before prosecution. He said he would contest the case both legally and politically, hinting at a larger conspiracy. "It was hatched at the national level, and they have succeeded in sending some CMs to jail," he claimed.
The CM said the petitioners' demand for sanction under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) Section 218, which replaced Section 197 of the CrPC concerning prosecution of public servants, was dismissed. "The court has totally rejected the demand under BNSS Section 218," he said hinting that it was a big relief for him.
Siddaramaiah accused the BJP and JD(S) of plotting to destabilize the Congress govt by misusing the Raj Bhavan. "I will not be bogged down by the BJP-JD(S) conspiracy and the misuse of the governor's office to in trying to destabilise the Congress govt. I have the full backing of my party, the high command, the legislators, and my cabinet colleagues. More importantly, my govt and I have the complete backing of the people of Karnataka, who stand with me like a rock," he stated.
Siddaramaiah further stressed that people of Karnataka people had given Congress a clear mandate, and would not be swayed by the opposition's efforts. "It's not possible to dislodge our govt through money power or Operation Lotus. People have given us an absolute majority," he said.
Later, at the inauguration of Karnataka's first gas-based power plant in Yelahanka, Siddaramaiah continued his criticism of the opposition. "I have struggled to come up, and I will reply befittingly to your (JDS-BJP) conspiracy. I will not be deterred by the false allegations of a few," he said.
When asked whether the court's decision was a setback, Siddaramaiah dismissed the notion, saying: "I am here to give my first reactions after the HC decision. I am yet to read the entire order to give my detailed view on the same."