Opposition BJP, JD(S) trying to ‘destabilise’ Congress govt: Siddaramaiah

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Friday, 30 August, accused the opposition BJP and its alliance partner JD(S) of trying to 'destabilise' the Congress government in the state, while clarifying that he has done nothing wrong to resign, in connection with the MUDA 'scam'.

Also alleging that the saffron party was still attempting "Operation Kamala" to bring down his government, he affirmed that they won't be successful in their attempts.

"Why are they asking for my resignation? Can it be given as soon as they ask? Just because Vijayendra (BJP state President) asks for resignation, can it be given? Then I will ask Vijayendra to resign as president of his party, will he give in?" Siddaramaiah asked in response to a question on BJP demanding his resignation in connection with the MUDA scam.

Addressing reporters in Hubballi, the CM said, "Argument will go on (in the court) tomorrow, let's see what the high court decides. I have not done anything wrong."

He was replying to a query on the court hearing regarding his petition challenging the governor's sanction for prosecution against him.

Charging the BJP high command with "targeting" him, he said, "BJP and JD(S) together are trying to destabilise our government."

The BJP has been demanding Siddaramaiah's resignation in connection with Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment 'scam'.

Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on 16 August 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.

On 19 August, Siddaramaiah moved the Karnataka HC challenging the legality of the governor's order.

Siddaramaiah noted that all Congress legislators and parliamentarians will meet the governor on 31 August asking him to act on pending requests seeking sanction for prosecution against JD(S) leader and Union minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, and also against former BJP Ministers -- Shashikala Jolle, Murugesh Nirani, G. Janardhan Reddy.

"They are pending for a long time now, we will seek prosecution sanctions against them. Because in all those cases the probe is over and filing of charge sheet is pending. In my case investigation has not yet happened, there is no report," he said.

To another question on Congress MLA from Mandya Ravikumar Gowda's (Ravi Ganiga) claims that attempts were on by BJP to entice Congress legislators, by offering Rs 100 crore, as part of 'Operation Kamala', the CM said, "Ravi Ganiga has said it, he has told us it is true."

The opposition party never came to power in the state with the blessings of the people, they have always depended on "Operation Kamal", whether it is in 2008 or 2019, he said.

"They always depended on Operation Kamala to come to power, when have they come to power on their own with majority? They have always come to power through the back door. Even now they are trying, but we (Congress) are 136 (MLAs), it is not easy, because they will have to ensure the resignation of about 60 MLAs (to be successful). None of our MLAs will fall for the desire of money," he added.

'Operation Kamala' (Operation Lotus) refers to an alleged attempt of the BJP to engineer defection of opposition legislators to install its own government and to ensure its stability.