Mysuru : Karnataka BJP President B. Y. Vijayendra has asserted that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is likely to step down from his position following the Dasara festivities. This statement comes amidst ongoing corruption charges against Siddaramaiah in the MUDA site allotment case.
During a press conference in Mysuru, Vijayendra highlighted the deteriorating situation of the Congress-led government, which came to power in May last year after winning the Assembly elections. He criticized Siddaramaiah for his persistent assurances of remaining as Chief Minister despite mounting pressure and allegations of misconduct. “The Chief Minister is in a dire situation, continuously trying to reassure the media about his tenure, but the reality is different. Many ministers support his continuation, yet the circumstances demand his resignation,” Vijayendra stated.
Vijayendra also referenced a recent incident where Siddaramaiah sent senior minister Satish Jarkiholi to Delhi, suggesting internal conflicts within the Congress party. He emphasized that after the conclusion of their padayatra (foot march) demanding the Chief Minister’s resignation, the countdown to Siddaramaiah’s departure has begun. “I’m not making a political statement. By Dasara, Siddaramaiah will resign. This situation has reached a critical point,” he asserted.
Supporting his claims, Vijayendra mentioned that the Congress high command in Delhi is seriously contemplating Siddaramaiah’s resignation. He condemned the Congress government as corrupt, stating, “This corrupt Congress administration has plagued the state with its misdeeds. The time has come for Siddaramaiah to resign after Dasara.”
Siddaramaiah is currently under investigation by the Lokayukta and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for alleged irregularities in the allocation of 14 sites to his wife, Parvathi B. M., by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). The case also implicates his brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy and others involved in land transactions related to the allotments.
In parallel, JD(S) leader and Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy has echoed similar sentiments, forecasting the possibility of early Assembly elections in Karnataka. Speaking at a JD(S) meeting in Channapatna, Kumaraswamy declared that the Congress government’s tenure is nearing its end due to its own wrongdoings. “You don’t have to wait until 2028 for elections. The Congress has created enough problems for an early election to be necessary,” he stated.
Kumaraswamy criticized the Congress leadership for their inaction and irresponsible claims of intent to remain in power, despite the growing discontent among the populace. He emphasized that the party’s corrupt practices have reached a tipping point, leaving them with no choice but to call for fresh elections. “The Congress is waiting to cling onto power, but their sins have piled up too high. It’s time for a change,” Kumaraswamy remarked.
The political landscape in Karnataka is thus poised for significant changes, with the opposition parties pushing for the resignation of the current administration and the potential for early elections looming on the horizon. As Dasara approaches, the state watches closely to see if these predictions will come to fruition, potentially reshaping Karnataka’s political future.
