Ktk Cong stages ‘Raj Bhavan Chalo’ protest march over alleged misuse of power by Governor
Bengaluru, Aug 31 (Representative) The Karnataka Congress on Saturday staged a ‘Raj Bhavan Chalo’ protest march over the alleged misuse of power by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who led the protest march, emphasized that the demonstration was aimed at preserving the integrity of the Governor’s office and preventing it from becoming a political tool. “This march is not on behalf of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as the Governor gave consent to prosecute the CM in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case,” Shivakumar clarified. “The matter is currently in the court. Our purpose is to ensure that the Governor’s office remains a neutral constitutional entity.” He also criticised Gehlot for the delay in addressing several petitions seeking permission for prosecution of Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, former Ministers Shashikala Jolle, Janardhan Reddy and Murugesh Nirani.During the protest, Congress leaders, including Shivakumar and several Ministers, MLAs, and MPs, rallied with placards and banners condemning Gehlot. They later submitted a memorandum outlining their concerns.
Earlier in the day, Siddaramaiah, his cabinet colleagues, and Congress legislators held a sit-in demonstration near the Gandhi statue on the Vidhana Soudha premises, adding to the day’s protests. The Congress government is embroiled in a dispute with Governor Gehlot, who recently granted permission for prosecuting Siddaramaiah in the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment scam. The controversy involves allegations against Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, on the compensatory sites and the alleged illegal acquisition of agricultural land by MUDA. Siddaramaiah has accused Gehlot of attempting to “destabilize” the Congress administration and claims the decision to prosecute him is politically motivated. On August 16, Governor Gehlot authorized the prosecution of Siddaramaiah under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, following petitions from three social activists.