'We Stand United': Deputy CM Shivakumar Dismisses Resignation Rumors for CM Siddaramaiah After MUDA Case Setback

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Tuesday ruled out the possibility of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stepping down with the quashing of his plea against the Governor's sanction for his prosecution in the MUDA case.
"We all stand with him," he told reporters after the verdict of the High Court.

"I have the responsibility and I need to know about the judgement. There is a conspiracy against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. They had filed a case against me and by God's grace, I came out of it. I had also gone to jail in that case and it is quashed now. Now, there is a big conspiracy against the CM," said Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress chief.

"The BJP cannot tolerate his programmes. There is no question of his resignation. There is a political conspiracy against all politicians in the country who oppose the BJP. We will stand with him, Siddaramiah. He is doing a good job in Karnataka," he added.

Transport and Muzarai Minister Ramalinga Reddy said: "CM Siddaramaiah has not done anything wrong as the charges need to be proved." "CM Siddaramaiah will consult legal experts on the future course of action," he added.

Labour Minister Santhosh Lad said, "We thought the Governor's decision in the MUDA case is against the law. But we have to respect the decision of the court. We will discuss the matter at the party level and government level. There is no setback for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah from the verdict."

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday dismissed the writ petition by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah challenging the prosecution order issued by the Governor in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had sought interim relief in the matter as well as also had demanded the quashing of the orders passed by the Governor. The bench headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna passed the order upholding the decision by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot.