'False allegations': Siddaramaiah rejects Opposition's demand for resignation

Bengaluru, Sep 24 (PTI) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday rejected the opposition's demand for his resignation following the High Court dismissing his petition challenging the Governor's approval for an investigation against him in a site allotment case, asserting that he is not going to resign.

He said he had done no wrong, and called the allegations against him false.

"I have come from the background of struggle. I will never fear false allegations. Will face it. Many people think that Siddaramaiah would resign. I have done no wrong and the situation will not come for me to resign. I will not resign," Siddaramaiah said.

Addressing an event here, he said, "I have done nothing wrong and false allegations are being made against me. So I’m not going to resign. I will fight politically. Let your blessings be on me…. Some people are jealous that Siddaramaiah is pro-poor and is for social justice. Let them. I will continue to do my work." The HC today dismissed his petition challenging the Governor's approval for an investigation against Siddaramaiah in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment case.

Addressing a press conference earlier in the day, Siddaramaiah accused the Narendra Modi-led dispensation of indulging in vendetta politics against opposition-ruled state governments, including the one headed by him.

Alleging the opposition's conspiracy against him and his government, Siddaramaiah, while asserting that he would face them politically, said he will decide on his next course of action and legal fight after consulting legal experts and party leaders."I still say I have done no wrong....." He repeatedly pointed at the court order which stated that "The order (of HC) is read to be restrictive to an approval (for investigation) under Section 17A of the (Prevention of Corruption) Act and not an order granting Sanction 218 of BNSS (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita)." "Why should I resign? Has (H D) Kumaraswamy (Union Minister) resigned? He is on bail, ask him....it is only said that an inquiry needs to be done. At the inquiry stage itself resignation is sought? I will answer them...we will face them politically because it is a conspiracy," Siddaramaiah said in response to a question about opposition parties seeking his resignation.

Speaking to reporters, he said, he would decide on the next course of action with legal experts, ministers, party's state presidents and others.

Accusing the BJP and JD(S) of "conspiracy, misuse of Raj Bhavan", the CM said, he will not be afraid of them as the people of the state are with him and he and his party have their blessings.

"All ministers including Deputy CM, MLAs, party leaders, workers and high command are with me. High command will cooperate with me in continuing the legal fight," he said.

"Narendra Modi-led govt is doing vendetta politics, not only against me, but against opposition state governments across the country," he further said.

Claiming that the BJP and JD(S) have never come to power on the mandate of the people of Karnataka, the CM alleged that the BJP tried to dislodge his government through "money power, operation 'Kamala', but they couldn't succeed." "BJP tried to buy our MLAs for money but were not successful. They are opposed to our government's pro-poor schemes. BJP is against poor and social justice," he said.

Siddaramaiah also claimed that the BJP -- "like they have done in other parts of the country" -- wants to destabilise Congress govt in Karnataka by "bringing a bad name to it." PTI