Muda case: Karnataka HC ruling puts Congress high command in spot

BENGALURU: With the Karnataka high court upholding governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot's decision to allow chief minister Siddaramaiah to be investigated in the Mysore Urban Development Authority (Muda) case, pressure has shifted to the Congress high command. BJP and JD(S), the opposition in Karnataka, are demanding the CM resign and Congress central brass face a delicate balancing act.
Sections within Congress itself have reportedly urged the party's brass to take a definitive stance. The situation comes at a crucial juncture as Congress has been showing signs of resurgence on the national stage following its decent performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. With assembly elections in Maharashtra, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, and Jharkhand on the horizon, party brass is treading cautiously.
The party is acutely aware of the potential consequences of removing a mass leader like Siddaramaiah. Senior functionaries are against this and cite BJP's decision to unseat former Karnataka CM and Lingayat strongman BS Yediyurappa ahead of the 2023 assembly elections. Many believe it contributed to BJP's defeat.
"It is a tough situation," said a senior functionary. "On one hand, we would attract criticism for being passive towards growing corruption charges against our govt if no action is taken. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had even questioned our high command's silence over Siddaramaiah, and more such voices may be heard from our INDIA partners. On the other hand, it would be detrimental to oust Siddaramaiah since legislators loyal to him will not take it kindly."
Stoic silence
So far, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi have maintained a stoic silence on the matter. They have neither openly backed Siddaramaiah nor condemned the governor's decision.
But they have been meeting with state functionaries individually to gather feedback. Seniors like home minister G Parameshwara, Satish Jarkiholi, and MB Patil — each of whom is considered a contender for the CM post — have met with the party high command several times following the governor's decision to investigate Siddaramaiah, triggering speculation of a leadership change. Kharge and Rahul have reportedly met Siddaramaiah and his deputy twice in New Delhi and are expected to summon them again to the capital soon.
Yet, a section of the party is dissatisfied with the high command's public silence, with some privately expressing frustration that the lack of clarity is adding to the confusion. Siddaramaiah's supporters are reportedly pushing for a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party to pass a resolution affirming trust in him. Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah is considering filing an appeal against the high court's decision. However, the high command has yet to provide a clear directive on either proposal.
National general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal and AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka Randeep Surjewala spoke with Siddaramaiah on Tuesday after the court order, advising the chief minister to exercise restraint.
"The high command is not silent, nor it is not taking any measures. It is seized of the matter in the Muda case," said Priyank Kharge, IT-BT minister, spokesperson for the state govt and son of Mallikarjun Kharge. "Since it is very clear that the alleged scam is the fallout of BJP-JD(S) combine's political conspiracy, the brass strongly backed Siddaramaiah. The question of Siddaramaiah's resignation does not arise. After all, why should we do what our rival parties want us to do?"