Cong leader Margaret Alva charges Modi, Amit Shah with trying to destabilise Karnataka govt.
Bengaluru, Aug 20: Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Margaret Alva on Tuesday charged the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah with trying to destabilise the party government in Karnataka "using" the Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot.
"The Gujarat Duo are at their game again, not having learnt their lesson even after the people of India voted to curtail their power," Alva, a former Governor, said, without mentioning their names.
Gehlot on August 16 granted sanction permitting investigation against the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah under 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act and prosecution under Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, on corruption charges.
Alva added: "Determined to destabilise opposition governments they have now set their eyes on Karnataka and its Backward Class, popular Chief Minister using their 'Sevak' in Rajbhavan to play their game. But the Congress and its leadership is strong and cannot be shaken."
She recalled that the Morarji Desai government dismissed the Devaraj Urs government in Karnataka in 1978 and dissolved the Assembly through the "Governor's game." "But the same Governor had to swear him back again after the elections."
The people of Karnataka cannot be fooled -- we will fight back and win, under the leadership of Siddaramaiah, Alva said.
Siddaramaiah has termed as "trumped-up" the allegations of irregularities in the allotment of sites to his wife Parvathi by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
In his writ petition challenging the Governor's order in the High Court on Monday, the Chief Minister submitted that it was issued without due application of mind, in violation of statutory mandates, and contrary to constitutional principles, including the advice of the Council of Ministers, which is binding under Article 163 of the Constitution of India.
Siddaramaiah, who has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, said the Governor’s decision is legally unsustainable, procedurally flawed, and motivated by extraneous considerations.
On the petition filed by him, the High Court passed interim orders directing the trial court to defer proceedings on complaints against him and further instructing that no precipitative action be taken pursuant to the sanction till August 29.
The BJP has demanded the Chief Minister's resignation to pave way for a transparent and unbiased investigation.
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Andhra Pradesh Police search for director Ram Gopal Varma over offensive posts against Andhra CM
Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh Police are actively searching for film director Ram Gopal Varma after he failed to appear for questioning in connection with a case filed against him for allegedly posting offensive and morphed images of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and their family members on social media.
The case was registered at Maddipadu Police Station in Prakasam district on November 11, with the complainant Ramalingam alleging that Varma's posts undermined the reputation of the leaders and caused personal harm.
Three police teams—two in Hyderabad and one in Tamil Nadu—have been deployed to locate Varma. One team is currently in Chennai, another is at his residence in Hyderabad, and the third is searching in Film Nagar. Police officials reported that Varma’s phone is switched off, complicating their efforts.
According to Prakasam District Superintendent of Police (SP) A.R. Damodar, Varma had been issued two notices and was given until November 24 to cooperate with the investigation. However, he failed to appear, leading to intensified search efforts.
Varma’s lawyer has argued that physical presence is not required and has requested that the investigation proceed in a virtual format under provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The lawyer stated that Varma had communicated his willingness to cooperate digitally but alleged that police had not responded to his requests.
SP Damodar criticised the director's approach, stating, "Without appearing for the investigation, how can Varma suggest a virtual probe?" He confirmed that police are pursuing all legal avenues to ensure compliance.
Varma, who had earlier requested additional time due to prior commitments, was summoned for investigation on November 25 but failed to attend. Police have stated that further legal action will follow if he continues to remain uncooperative.
