Rahul, Kharge stay silent on Siddaramaiah row

BENGALURU: Pressure mounted on the Congress brass Tuesday to take a "definitive stance" on Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah after the HC order upheld governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot's sanction for a probe against him in the Mysore Urban Development Authority (Muda) case.
"It is a difficult situation," a senior party functionary said. "We could attract criticism for being passive towards growing corruption charges against our govt if no action is taken.Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee had previously questioned the high command's silence on Siddaramaiah, and more such voices may be heard from our INDIA bloc partners."
Siddaramaiah has refused to quit just because HC had rejected his petition challenging the legal validity of gubernatorial sanction to probe and prosecute him in the case involving his wife Parvathi.
AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal and the party's Karnataka incharge Randeep Surjewala spoke to Siddaramaiah after the court's verdict, advising him to exercise restraint for now, sources said.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi have maintained a stoic silence, neither openly backing Siddaramaiah nor questioning the governor's decision. "The high command is seized of the matter," said minister Priyank Kharge "The question of Siddaramaiah's resignation doesn't arise. Why should we do what our rival parties want us to do?"
Venugopal said the Karnataka governor was trying to "destabilise a popular, pro-people govt" led by someone who had risen from a humble background to the CM's office.
Sources said a move to replace Siddaramaiah could stoke dissent among MLAs loyal to him. Rahul and Kharge are believed to be talking to senior functionaries individually, and are likely to summon Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar to Delhi soon.
(With inputs from Delhi bureau)