"First, you do corruption, and then show brazen attitude": BJP's Shehzad Poonawalla on Siddaramaiah's refusal to resign

Sep 26, 2024

New Delhi [India], September 27 : Bharatiya Janata Party Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla launched a scathing attack on Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, accusing him of corruption and misuse of power after he refused to step down from his post amid allegations of involvement in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam.
Following a Bengaluru court's order directing the Karnataka Lokayukta to investigate Siddaramaiah in connection with the alleged MUDA scam, Poonawalla said, "First, you do corruption, and then show a brazen attitude. The High Court order clearly states that he has done corruption and abused power."
Poonawalla further criticised Rahul Gandhi, questioning whether he will ask Siddaramaiah to resign amidst allegations of corruption in the MUDA scam.
"Rahul Gandhi should tell if he will ask for Siddaramaiah's resignation. But how will he ask when he has done so much land-related corruption," he said.
Meanwhile, responding to the BJP's demand for Siddaramaiah's resignation over the alleged MUDA 'scam', Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday said that the entire Congress party stands in support of Siddaramaiah, adding that there is no possibility of the Chief Minister stepping down.
"I am the KPCC President, and Rehman Khan is the KPCC Discipline Committee head. I am telling you there is no need for the CM to resign. The BJP and JDS are hatching a political conspiracy against the CM. They are not able to digest the fact that guarantee schemes are reaching so many people. Karnataka is the largest state where Congress is in power, and the BJP can't tolerate that. There is no question of CM resigning," Shivakumar told reporters.
Earlier today, the Karnataka Chief Minister said that he would not be resigning from his post amid the MUDA scam allegations levied on him by BJP leaders.
"I won't resign; why should I resign? There are allegations on HD Kumaraswamy, did he resign? Let Kumaraswamy resign, has Modi taken the resignation of Kumaraswamy," the CM said.
This comes after a Special Court in Bengaluru has directed the Lokayukta police in Mysuru to file a criminal case against the state's Chief Minister and others over alleged illegalities in the allotment of 14 sites valued at Rs 56 crore to his wife by the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
The court instructed the Superintendent of Police of the Lokayukta to apply provisions related to the prevention of corruption, prohibition of benami properties, and land grabbing as outlined in various laws.