Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday criticized former Chief Minister and BJP Parliamentary Board Member, BS Yediyurappa, suggesting that he should retire from public life after being charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act at the age of 82.
Responding to the BJP’s demands for his resignation over alleged irregularities in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) and corruption allegations, Siddaramaiah made his remarks to reporters in Mysuru. He stated, “Yediyurappa has 15 to 20 cases which I will detail at the convention in Mysuru city on Friday. He has been charged in a POCSO case, and it’s only due to the court’s mercy that he hasn’t been jailed, as bail is not typically granted in such cases. What moral standing does Yediyurappa have, given these circumstances? The media doesn’t highlight this much.”
Siddaramaiah continued, “At 82, Yediyurappa has been accused of misbehaving with a girl, leading to a POCSO case and a charge sheet filed by the police. What moral right does he have to criticize me? He should first retire from public life; only then can we discuss my resignation.”
Addressing the allegations against himself, Siddaramaiah said, “If there is truth in the allegations, they can demand my resignation. In Yediyurappa’s case, there was a monetary transaction via cheque and de-notification of government land. What have I done? Is there any letter or order by me? My wife submitted an application in 2014 for land compensation. As Chief Minister, I instructed MUDA authorities not to grant any alternate sites to her. She filed another application in 2021, during the BJP government’s tenure. How could I have influenced anything then? The land grant was entirely legal.”
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When questioned about receiving a fresh notice from Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Siddaramaiah replied, “We answered one notice already. I understand the new Chief Secretary recently met him after taking charge, and during the Governor’s trip to New Delhi.”
Regarding potential targeting, Siddaramaiah stated, “The BJP and JD(S) aim to weaken and destabilize the state government. They failed in their ‘Operation Lotus’ and are trying again. I work for the poor, implementing guarantee schemes which they oppose. They can’t tolerate our pro-poor and pro-SC-ST governance.”
Siddaramaiah noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made similar statements against the guarantee schemes and expressed confidence in the truth prevailing. “Our Cabinet and Council of Ministers have explained everything legally. I believe the Governor, as the constitutional head, will act according to the law,” he said.
When asked about the Governor’s meetings with PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, Siddaramaiah speculated, “I assume he discussed funds for Bengaluru’s development. He will act according to the law, and I am prepared to face lies. The truth will win.”
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