Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], August 17 (HBTV): Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge alleged on Saturday that the Karnataka Governor's decision to sanction the prosecution of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the alleged MUDA 'scam' has been orchestrated by the Central government.

In a post on X, the Minister for Electronics said, "The Karnataka Governor's decision to sanction the prosecution of CM @siddaramaiah in the MUDA case has been orchestrated by the Central Government. Raj Bhavan is being misused as the BJP's tool to undermine a democratically elected government." 

He also said, "The Constitutional head of the State is sparking a constitutional crisis to appease his political masters. The Central Government may throw its full weight behind this, but we stand firm with the Constitution on our side." 

His reaction came after Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Saturday granted permission to prosecute Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam, according to the Raj Bhavan sources on Saturday. Siddaramaiah has been maintaining that everything was done according to the law. 

Challenging the move, the Karnataka government said they will move the High Court against the governor's permission for prosecution. 

Earlier in the month, refuting the allegations, CM Siddaramaiah said," In the case of Muda, everything was done according to law. I have not exerted any kind of influence on the allotment of the plot. My wife has been given a replacement plot in 2021 during the government period of the BJP government as per the law." 

Congress MP Manickam Tagore alleged that the governor's office is being misused to undermine an honest and genuine OBC leader. 

He said, "Despite relentless attempts to undermine a genuine OBC leader, the will of the people will prevail. Misusing the Governor's office to defame an honest CM shows the desperation of those who can't tolerate true leadership. The people will see through these tactics and Sangi uncles." 

Defending the governor's move, BY Vijayendra who is the state BJP President, said that the governor has exercised his constitutional powers. 

(ANI)