After the High Court dismissed Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s petition challenging Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot’s approval for an investigation into his alleged involvement in a site allotment scam, the state BJP demanded the CM's resignation on Tuesday. The case relates to allegations of corruption in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment process, in which the CM’s family is also accused of being involved.

Karnataka BJP state president B Y Vijayendra reacted to the court’s ruling, saying, “I request the Chief Minister to keep aside his charges against the Governor, respect the High Court order and, since there are allegations that your (Chief Minister’s) family is involved in the MUDA (site allotment) scam, you should respectfully resign your position as Chief Minister.”

#WATCH | Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra says, "BJP has been relentlessly fighting against the corrupt Congress government. We have been fighting against the corrupt CM Siddaramaiah...When BJP took up the issue of MUDA scam...HC said that the petition challenged by the CM… pic.twitter.com/WFbiolREAX

— ANI (@ANI) September 24, 2024

In Hubballi, BJP MP Jagadish Shettar echoed this sentiment, calling for the CM’s immediate resignation on moral grounds. "An impartial investigation must begin with the filing of an FIR against the Chief Minister. His involvement, along with his wife’s, demands that he resign to ensure a transparent probe into the MUDA scam," Shettar said.

Other BJP leaders, including CT Ravi, also pressed for Siddaramaiah’s resignation. "The law is the same for everyone. Corruption has taken place. Did the Opposition tell him to do that? We didn't tell him to do that...They did that and now they are accusing the BJP. I would like to give them one suggestion, resign to save your dignity," Ravi stated.

In response to the BJP’s demands, Karnataka ministers rallied around CM Siddaramaiah. Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, who arrived at the CM’s residence in Bengaluru, called the allegations part of a political conspiracy. "There is no setback to the CM. This is a conspiracy, not just against him, but against all our leaders, including me. Injustice will not be flown from the seat of justice. We will get justice.," Shivakumar said.

Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy defended Siddaramaiah, describing him as a "100% clean-handed man" and accusing the BJP of hypocrisy. "BJP people are the most corrupt people in India, there is no value to their words. Now, the single judge bench has upheld Governor's permission. There is double bench, full bench, Supreme Court. We will fight...BJP doesn't have the moral right to ask Siddaramaiah's resignation...Not only Congress but the entire cabinet, MLAs and High Command will stand by CM Siddaramaiah...Why should he resign? There is a denotification case regarding Yediyurappa and Kumaraswamy, let them resign first."