Bengaluru:

A group of Congress leaders have written to Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to warn party leaders and state ministers, who are weighing in for the chief minister’s post, in the event of leadership change in Karnataka.

The signatories of the letter, including current and former lawmakers and some former ministers, have also urged Mr Gandhi to issue a direction to these leaders not to issue damaging statements in the future in the interest of the Congress party and the state of Karnataka.

As Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s petition challenging the Governor’s sanction for his prosecution in the MUDA site allotment case is being heard in the High Court, Congress leaders seem to be preparing for a race to become chief minister in case of a leadership change in the state, with several of them openly expressing their desire.

“…… more than six leaders including senior ministers are issuing statements claiming the post of chief minister, instead of fighting against BJP and JD(S). Due to this many of our leaders and workers are getting demoralised and losing hope in the government and the party,” the letter addressed to Rahul Gandhi said.

Similarly, the people of Karnataka are gradually losing faith in the party and government, because of “infighting and reckless statements” of some leaders, it said.

“Therefore, we humbly appeal to your esteemed office to take note of the statements issued by the said leaders and warn them against issuing such damaging statements in the future in the interest of Congress party and state of Karnataka,” it added.

Congress leaders BL Shankar, VS Ugrappa, HM Revanna, VR Sudarshan, L Hanumanthaiah and Prakash Rathod are some of the signatories of the letter.

State Congress working president Manjunath Bhandary and MLC Dinesh Gooligowda on Monday had written to AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, asking him to curb speculation over the chief minister’s tenure.

While Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President D K Shivakumar is seen as a prime contender for the post in case of any change in leadership, names of senior leader Parameshwara and PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi too are doing rounds, especially following their recent meeting with the party leadership in New Delhi.

A verbal duel of sorts had erupted between two senior Ministers — M B Patil and Shivanand Patil — about seniority as the yardstick to become the chief minister.

Senior Congress MLAs — Administrative Reforms Commission Chairperson R V Deshpande and Basavaraj Rayrareddy, who is Siddaramaiah’s financial adviser — too have expressed their wish to become the chief minister. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Bengaluru:

The MUDA scam that had been occupying headlines in Karnataka has been pushed aside by a new scam – alleged misappropriation of funds to the tune of crores meant to fight Covid during the BJP rule in the state led by then Chief Minister BS Yeddiyurappa – raising allegations of tit-for-tat scams. A preliminary report on the matter by Justice John Michael  D’Cunha was discussed by the cabinet today, which apparently mentioned many other irregularities.

Of these, sources said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah made three crucial observations at the meeting. 

He said the judge has made very serious observations about hundreds of crores of rupees being misappropriated. The report has also said that there are many files missing that weren’t placed before him despite his repeated requests, sources said.  

The overall spending during Covid in the state was to the tune of Rs 13,000 crore. While no figure was mentioned officially, sources indicated that around Rs 1000 crore was siphoned off.

The report is expected to be finalized within the next six months and can even be tabled during the winter session of parliament. The government has extended the tenure of the committee by six months, so it can submit the final report.

Sources said the 1000-page multiple-volume interim report will now be analysed by officers and submitted to the government in less than a month.  

Asked about the scam versus scam allegations, Law and parliamentary affairs minister HK Patil said it is “unfortunate” that whenever an important report comes it is termed eye for an eye. 

“MUDA is less than two months old. The Cunha committee was appointed a year back. How can you bring that analogy here? It was an administrative measure”. 

The Cunha report is seen as a boon to the Congress and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, whom the BJP has been trying to corer over the MUDA scam. Mr Siddaramaiah has gone to court challenging the Governor’s clearance to prosecute him in the matter.

The alleged scam is linked to irregularities in land allocation by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority or MUDA. There have been allegations that the allocation of compensatory land parcels to BM Parvathi, Siddaramaiah’s wife, far exceeds the value of the land given in exchange.

Bengaluru:

Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot’s move to authorise the prosecution of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, will have dire consequences, a Congress leader has warned. But the statement of Ivan Dsouza has turned controversial, with him drawing a parallel with Bangladesh’s deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. 

“If the Central Government does not recall the Governor in connection with the MUDA scam, the Governor may have to face a situation similar to that of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. And the Governor may have to run away,” Mr D’Souza said in Mangaluru at a protest organised by the party against the Governor.

Mr Siddaramaiah has appealed to the High Court challenging the Governor’s move.  He called it “illegal and without authority of law”, and claimed that prosecution at this point could irreparably harm his reputation. 

More importantly, it could “disrupt governance… and potentially result in political destabilisation,” he has argued.

The court has granted him some relief, ordering that no action be taken against him before it hears the case on August 29.

“Since the matter is heard by this court and pleadings are to be completed… till the next date of hearing the concerned court (the trial court) should defer its proceedings…” the High Court said.

The alleged scam is linked to irregularities in land allocation by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). It has been alleged that the allocation of compensatory land parcels to BM Parvathi, Siddaramaiah’s wife, during his previous term as the chief minister of Karnataka, far exceeds the value of the land given in exchange. 

Activists have alleged that the 14 premium sites in Mysuru allotted to Siddaramaiah’s wife as compensation for acquired land was illegal and led to a loss of Rs 45 crore to the exchequer.

Bengaluru:

Karnataka Governor Thawaar Chand Gehlot’s decision to sanction prosecution of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah – over alleged irregularities in land allotment by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority – was “in violation of the principles of natural justice”, the Congress leader told the High Court Monday.

Under fire from the BJP – which was defeated by the Congress in last year’s Assembly election – Siddaramaiah also warned of “political destabilisation” if the Governor’s order is allowed to stand. The Chief Minister sought an order preventing authorities from further action relating to Mr Gehlot’s order.

In his petition the Chief Minister claimed the Governor’s grant of sanction to prosecute him was “illegal and without authority of law”. Siddaramaiah said Mr Gehlot – whom he earlier called a “puppet” of the centre – had “passed the order without proper application of mind and due consideration of the facts…”

In a strongly-worded petition Siddaramaiah further warned the court that “in the absence of interim relief… there is a grave and imminent risk of irreparable harm (to his) reputation”.

Allowing the Governor’s sanction to stand would also lead to “severe prejudice… disrupt governance of the state, and potentially result in political destabilisation”, Siddaramaiah argued.

“Such harm, if inflicted, cannot be adequately remedied at a later stage.”

“Never Misused Power…”

Hours earlier the Chief Minister told reporters he had not done anything illegal in a political career spanning four decades, and expressed confidence the judiciary would come to his aid.

The senior Congress leader declared he had been a Chief Minister and a Minister over the course of his career and had “never misused power for personal gains”. He also dismissed protests by the BJP, saying, “In politics it is natural that parties will protest… so let them protest, I am clean.”

READ | “In 40 Years Did Nothing Wrong”: Under-Fire Siddaramaiah

On Saturday Siddaramaiah had tweeted calling the Governor’s decision “anti-Constitution” and “against the law”. “It will be questioned in court. I have done no wrong to resign,” he said.

Governor OKs Move Against Chief Minister

A massive row erupted in Karnataka over the weekend after Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot sanctioned prosecution of the Chief Minister on corruption charges in connection with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority, or MUDA, case after petitions by three activists.

The Governor said his order was necessary to conduct a “neutral, objective, and non-partisan investigation”, adding he is prima facie “satisfied” the alleged infractions were, in fact, committed.

READ | Karnataka Governor Clears Chief Minister’s Prosecution In Land Scam

The sanction sparked furious protests by the Congress, which today held state-wide protests – dharnas, foot-marches and rallies in district headquarters including Mysuru – against Mr Gehlot.

The BJP has demanded Siddaramaiah – who faces the ruling Congress’ first major challenge since a surprisingly dominant win in the 2023 Assembly election – resign to facilitate the investigation.

MUDA Land Scam Case Explained

The alleged MUDA scam focuses on the value of land allotted to the Chief Minister’s wife, Parvathi, in an upmarket area of Mysuru as compensation for land elsewhere taken for infra development.

Critics allege the value of land allotted grossly – by Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 crore – exceeds that taken.

NDTV Explains | MUDA Case In Which Siddaramaiah May Be Prosecuted

Specifically, in a complaint filed by an activist, TJ Abraham, that named the Chief Minister, his wife and son, and senior MUDA officials, it was alleged that allotment of 14 alternative sites in a Mysuru neighbourhood was illegal and caused a loss of Rs 45 crore.

READ | 3.16 Acres Bought For Rs 1 In 1935: Siddaramaiah On Mysuru Land Scam

Siddaramaiah had claimed the land was gifted by his wife’s brother in 1998. However, another activist Snehmayi Krishna alleged the brother had procured it illegally and registered it using forged documents with help from government officials. The land was shown to have been bought in 1998.

The Chief Minister’s wife sought compensation in 2014 when Siddaramaiah held the top post.

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Bengaluru:

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has moved the Karnataka High Court against Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot’s decision to sanction his prosecution in an alleged land scam case. Siddaramaiah is facing charges of alleged irregularities in the compensatory site allotment to his wife by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) during his tenure as chief minister.

While the BJP has been demanding his resignation over the allegations, the Congress has ruled out any such move. The chief minister has also termed the charges as “politically motivated”.

This marks yet another confrontation between a Governor and a state government led by a non-BJP party.

Mr Gehlot had given a go-ahead to the Lokayukta on Saturday to prosecute Siddaramaiah in the alleged land scam case. The Chief Minister filed a petition this morning challenging the decision.

The sanction was based on petitions by three activists – Pradeep Kumar, TJ Abraham, and Snehamayi Krishna. It followed a notice to the Chief Minister, in which the Governor had asked him to explain within seven days why he shouldn’t be prosecuted.

The state cabinet had termed the notice “gross misuse of the Constitutional office” and asked the Governor to withdraw it.

Mysuru (Karnataka):

Launching a scathing attack on Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, former chief minister and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa said on Saturday that he will fight until his last breath to remain in politics and ensure that the former was booted out by the people of the state.

Addressing a public gathering at Mysuru, Mr Yediyurappa said, “Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had asked me to retire from public life. Until my last breath, I will be in politics and ensure your (Mr Siddaramaiah’s) ouster. Is there any example of a Chief Minister getting 14 sites for his family in the history of the state? He is demanding Rs 65 crore, claiming that he would return it. Whose money is it going to be?”

Stating that Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has declared his support for Mr Siddaramaiah, Mr Yediyurappa added, “Mr Shivakumar’s sins are overflowing. You don’t know what is going to happen to you (Mr Siddaramaiah) and when it will happen. He speaks lightly about State BJP President BY Vijayendra and Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka. Mr Shivakumar would be better off bothering about his future,” Mr Yediyurappa said.

“The BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) are marching ahead together. The people are going to send you (Mr Siddaramaiah) home soon,” said the BJP leader.

“I will throw a challenge. Will you dissolve the government now and face the election? The BJP and JD(S) will emerge victorious in 130 to 140 seats in the state and attain a majority,” he added.

“There is open loot and daylight robbery taking place in the state. The people have grown wary of your government. There is no trace of development works in the state. The government has turned pauper. Not a single kilometre of road is being laid. The chief minister and deputy chief minister are involved in rampant corruption. They are not capable of running the administration in the state,” he said. 

“I am an 82-year-old man, I will take up a tour throughout the state and send you (Mr Siddaramaiah) home. I will end the corruption by the Congress government and their misrule,” he said.

“The chief minister and deputy chief minister also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda respects him and discusses bringing a change in the state. The people need to bless the BJP and JD(S) and bring them to power,” Mr Yediyurappa said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Bengaluru:

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said his government had decided to boycott the NITI Aayog meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 27, as a mark of protest against the “neglect” of the state’s demands in the Union Budget.

He said there is no point in attending the NITI Aayog meeting, as Kannadigas are not heard.

“Despite my earnest efforts in calling for an all-party MPs meeting in New Delhi to discuss Karnataka’s essential needs, the Union Budget has neglected our state’s demands,” Siddaramaiah said.

“Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who also attended the meeting, has ignored the concerns of the people of Karnataka. We don’t feel that Kannadigas are heard, and hence there is no point in attending the NITI Aayog meeting,” he posted on social media platform X.

“We have decided to boycott the NITI Aayog meeting, which will be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 27 July, as a mark of protest,” he added.

Stating that even the farmers’ demands to approve Mekedatu and Mahadayi projects have been ignored, the Chief Minister said, “There was no attempt to rectify their sin of reducing funds to our state under various categories.” Funds for metro and other infra projects are still a distant dream, he added.

He said that PM Modi is unable to see states other than Andhra Pradesh and Bihar because “his eyes are on the position of Prime Minister”.

“His agenda is exposed in front of the people. We hope the people of our state stand with us in our fight for justice,” the Chief Minister said.

Earlier in the day, speaking to reporters, Siddaramaiah termed the union budget “disappointing” and said, “As Nirmala Sitharaman is a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, we had expected her to do justice to the state and hoped that she would protect the interests of the state, but she hsd disappointed and done injustice to the people of Karnataka, he had said. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Bengaluru:

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said his government has decided to withhold the bill mandating job reservation for Kannadigas in the private sector due to “certain confusion.” 

He said the bill will be taken up for discussion in the next cabinet meeting to clear the doubts.

“On Monday, complete discussion (on the topic) could not take place in the cabinet meeting. By then reports had appeared in the media,” he told the Karnataka assembly.

“There was some confusion. We will clear those confusions in the next cabinet meeting. Let’s have a detailed discussion.” The Chief Minister was replying to Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka’s demand to clarify the state government’s stand on the bill.

He said the Chief Minister changed his message on ‘X’ thrice.

Ashoka recalled that Siddaramaiah in his first post said that the cabinet has decided 100 per cent reservation for Kannadigas in the private sector and then deleted it.

The Chief Minister then posted another message saying that there would be 50 per cent reservation in the management category and 70 per cent in the non-management category for Kannadigas.

“Finally, you announced putting the bill on hold. There appears to be a Tughlaq government in Karnataka,” he said.

In his reply, the Chief Minister said, “There is no Tughlaq government, but Siddramaiah government. We will take up the bill in the next cabinet meeting.” The state cabinet had on Monday cleared the Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories and Other Establishments Bill, 2024′, which makes it compulsory for private firms to reserve jobs for Kannadigas.

“Any industry, factory or other establishments shall appoint fifty per cent of local candidates in management categories and seventy per cent in non-management categories,” the bill read.

If the candidates do not possess secondary school certificates with Kannada as a language, they should pass a Kannada proficiency test as specified by the ‘Nodal Agency’, it added.

The nodal agency will have the power to call for any records information or documents in the possession of an employer or occupier or manager of an establishment to verify the report.

The government may appoint an officer not below the rank of Assistant Labour Commissioner as the authorised officer for the purposes of compliance of the provisions of the Act.

Any Employer or Occupier or Manager of an Establishment, who contravenes the provisions of this Act should be liable for a penalty between Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000.

The move drew flak from the industry.

NASSCOM even cautioned that the companies will move out of Karnataka.

Ministers quickly issued a statement assuring companies that their interest will be protected.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Bengaluru:

The Karnataka government has paused, and will further study, a bill directing private firms in the state to reserve jobs for Kannadigas. The bill, cleared Monday, requires firms in India’s IT capital to prioritise local hires for 70 per cent of non-management roles and 50 per cent of management-level jobs.

“The bill intended to implement reservation for Kannadigas in private sector institutions, industries and enterprises is still in the preparation stage. A final decision will be taken after comprehensive discussion in the next cabinet meeting,” Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has posted on X.

The quota announcement was first made by the Chief Minister Tuesday evening.

The Chief Minister said his “pro-Kannada government” would ensure all “Kannadigas (get) an opportunity to lead a comfortable life in the motherland… and avoid being deprived of jobs in the land of Kannada”. However, his X post said the bill mandated 100 per cent reservation at certain levels.

Fury and outrage followed Siddaramaiah’s post, with business leaders like Biocon’s Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and the opposition, led by the BJP, targeting the Congress government.

There was, though, a measure of support from a surprising quarter – Union Minister Ramdas Athawale. Mr Athawale, the MoS for Social Justice and Empowerment, told NDTV he backed all measures that would benefit the backward classes – whether from the OBC, SC, or ST communities.

READ | “My Party Demands…”: Union Minister’s Support Amid Job Quota Row

“My party demands Government of India and states give reservations to OBCs in the private sector. We are not opposing candidates from the General Category,” he said.

READ | In Row Over Karnataka 100% Quota Bill, Chief Minister Deletes Post

Meanwhile, the Karnataka Chief Minister’s post was deleted this afternoon after clarification from Labour Minister Santosh Lad. “At management level, it has been decided to provide reservation of 50 per cent. At the non-management level, it has been decided to provide work to 70 per cent…”

He also said that if companies were unable to hire suitable skilled candidates from this restricted pool, they could then look at hiring people from outside the state.

“If such skills are not available (in Kannadigas) then the jobs can be outsourced. The government is trying to bring in a law to give preference to locals… if skilled labour is available here…” he said.

However, he insisted there is no dearth of talent in the state.

The quota saw a mixed reception when introduced.

Some businesspersons called it “discriminatory” while others, like Ms Mazumdar-Shaw, acknowledged the need to ensure jobs for locals but added caveats.

As a tech hub we need skilled talent and whilst the aim is to provide jobs for locals we must not affect our leading position in technology by this move. There must be caveats that exempt highly skilled recruitment from this policy. @siddaramaiah@DKShivakumar@PriyankKhargehttps://t.co/itYWdHcMWw

— Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (@kiranshaw) July 17, 2024

Software industry body Nasscom, which represents India’s $200 billion technology industry, sought its withdrawal saying the bill “threaten to drive away companies”. “… the restrictions could force companies to relocate as local skilled talent becomes scarce,” the top industry body said Wednesday.

READ | Karnataka Job Quota May Force “Companies To Relocate”: Nasscom

Responding to these concerns, Mr Lad told news agency ANI he would speak to them. “We respect their apprehensions and their views. We will talk to them…” he had said.

Drafted by the Labour Department, the proposed bill claimed the jobs in question were being given largely to people from the northern states who were then settling in Karnataka. It proposed that Karnataka-based companies benefitting from state-provided infrastructure reserve jobs for locals.

The proposed policy, it is understood, reflected recommendations made by the Sarojini Mahishi Committee, which said large, medium and small-scale industrial units with over 50 workers had to reserve 65 and 80 per cent of Group A and Group B jobs for Kannadigas.

All Group C and Group D jobs would be kept for Kannadigas, the report had said.

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Bengaluru:

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said the Karnataka government was ready to release 8,000 cusecs of water from the Cauvery river every day to neighbouring Tamil Nadu instead of one TMC as directed by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee till this month-end.

There is only 63 per cent water in the Cauvery basin dams and in this situation, the state was not in a position to release one TMC water each day, the Chief Minister told reporters after an all-party meeting here.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka, JD(S) MLA G T Deve Gowda, farmer leaders and legal experts attended the meeting.

“Everyone was of the opinion that we should release 8,000 cusecs of water and not one TMC, which is 11,500 cusecs of water. If there is no rain then we will minimise the release of water and file an appeal before the Cauvery Water Management Authority,” Siddaramaiah said.

According to him, the Cauvery Water Regulatory Authority has directed that starting from July 12 till the month-end, every day one TMC water has to be released.

In a normal year, 9.14 TMC in June and 31.24 TMC in July should be released, he explained.

Advocate Mohan Katarki, who was present in the meeting, said this time Krishnarajasagar dam on Cauvery river has only 54 per cent water whereas other dams in the Cauvery basin have only 63 per cent water, Siddaramaiah said.

On July 12, the inflow of water was 5,000 cusec water in Kabini, which was allowed to flow towards Tamil Nadu, the Chief Minister said, adding that 5,000 cusecs water was flowing in Biligundlu on Saturday.

He explained that on July 12, 20,000 cusecs and 19,000 cusecs on July 13 was released for Tamil Nadu from Kabini dam because water cannot be stored for long due to its holding capacity.

Siddarmaaiah said all the parties in Karnataka were unanimous that they should appeal to the CWMA stating that releasing one TMC water was not possible.

“Katarki said we cannot say we cannot release water because it will be disrespectful to the Cauvery Tribunal. We will release 8,000 cusecs. If there is good rain then it is okay to release one TMC. We are expecting good rains this time,” he noted.

The Chief Minister said 2023 was a ‘distress year’ with scanty rainfall.

“In a normal year, we release 177 TMC but last year we released only 81 TMC water,” he added. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)