Cong leadership briefed on political developments in Karnataka, says CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said the Congress high command had been explained about the recent political developments in the state, and the prosecution sanction against him by the Governor, which he termed as "anti-Constitution and illegal".
He also said the Governor sending some Bills back to the government will be discussed in the Cabinet and the next course of action will be decided at the meeting.
Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is also state Congress chief, and several senior ministers met AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Friday, and held discussions.
"We went to Delhi yesterday on our own..... D K Shivakumar and I have explained (to Congress high command) regarding political developments in the state, especially on the opposition's padayatre (Bengaluru to Mysuru foot march) on the MUDA issue, how we faced it politically," Siddaramaiah said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "We have informed them (high command) about the government's clear stand that the Governor's prosecution sanction (against me) is anti-Constitution and illegal, and to challenge it in courts. We have also told them that both the Cabinet and the legislature party have condemned it (Governor's sanction), and explained to them that the Governor's decision has been challenged in the High Court."
Asked whether any discussion happened regarding complaining to the President against the Governor, Siddaramaiah said, "no....all options are open."
Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on August 16 granted sanction for prosecution of Siddaramaiah in connection with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment 'scam', giving a major jolt to the nearly 15-month-old Congress government.
The Governor accorded sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for the commission of the alleged offences as mentioned in the petitions of activists Pradeep Kumar S P, T J Abraham and Snehamayi Krishna.
The High Court on August 19 had directed the special court for people's representatives to defer its proceedings against the CM in the alleged MUDA site allotment 'scam', till the next date of hearing on August 29.
To a question about the Governor sending back some Bills to the government, Siddaramaiah said, "he (Governor) has sent back six Bills. We will discuss in the Cabinet and decide the next course of action."
Noting that the Bills had been passed in both Legislative Assembly and Council, he further said, "they have been sent back. We will see what clarifications have been sought and why they have been sent back, and we will take a decision in the Cabinet."
Replying to a question about the government's plans to hike bus fares and water tariffs, the CM said, "the water tariff (in Bengaluru) has not yet been increased, there is a proposal. For several years, tariffs have not been increased. The situation is difficult at Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). We will look into it and make a decision."
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Karnataka HM G Parameshwara blames EVM for Cong debacle in Maharashtra, backs ballot papers
BENGALURU: Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara on Monday alleged Electronic Voting Machine manipulations led to the defeat of Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in just concluded assembly polls in Maharashtra.
While speaking to reporters here on Monday, he said the BJP does selective manipulations to convince people that there were no wrongdoings. He also wanted to go back to the paper ballots system.
The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra won a landslide victory in the assembly elections, shattering the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi's dream to wrest power. The BJP won the highest ever 132 seats for the party, while the Shiv Sena led by Shinde bagged 57 seats and NCP won 41 seats to take the Mahayuti total to 230 seats. Congress as part of MVA won just 16 seats.
ALSO READ: Fan tries to die by suicide over Nikhil Kumaraswamy's bypoll loss
"We analysed the Maharashtra poll outcome deeply. We felt that in many places EVMs were manipulated," Parameshwara said. He also said an obvious question would be why not it happened in Jharkhand and elsewhere. The manipulations are done selectively so that no one can question it, he blamed.
According to him, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha is a leading partner. Had the Congress been the leading partner, things would have changed. He backed the ballot papers saying that the same was discussed in Maharashtra Congress as well.
