Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Thursday he was not guilty and will not resign from his post.
He said this while reacting to the BJP and JD(S) demand that he should step down in view of the Special Court's order in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam case.
Speaking to the media at Vidhana Soudha, CM Siddaramaiah told, "I haven't done anything wrong and there is no such requirement at all that I should resign. Many BJP leaders are on bail, wont it embarrass them? Has any of them tendered their resignations? That is what CM Siddaramaiah said.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, speaking to the press on Thursday, said, "I am passing it on to the media as the President of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will not resign.".
"He will not offer his resignation. The suggestion of CM Siddaramaiah quitting will not come up. This is a conspiracy by the BJP and JD(S). They cannot take the victory of the guarantee schemes," Shivakumar said.
The statements have gained relevance in the aftermath of BJP going on protest over the resignation of CM Siddaramaiah in an attempt to step up pressure on the government. The party made its protest presence felt at Mahatma Gandhi statue on the Vidhana Soudha campus as well.
The BJP leaders and workers were arrested while they attempted to lay siege to the Vidhana Soudha. Meanwhile, CM Siddaramaiah called a meeting with Home Minister G. Parameshwara, Law Minister H.K. Patil, CM's Legal Advisor, Congress MLA A.S. Ponnanna and legal experts over the future course of action as the Special Court gave direction to the lodging of FIR and investigation on him in the MUDA case.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is also presiding over the cabinet meeting at the Vidhana Soudha and sources said he would seek the support of the council of ministers and will make the announcement in this regard.
The cabinet meeting will also consider submitting a representation to the President against the alleged biased action by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot against CM Siddaramaiah.
The Mysore Divisional Consumer Forum on Wednesday ordered the Lokayukta to conduct an inquiry against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in association with complaints of irregularities in the MUDA scam. The court further asked the Lokayukta to file a report on the same within three months, while competent authorities were also ordered to lodge an FIR.
