BENGALURU, 6 AUG

With the ball now in the Governor's court vis-a-vis the petition seeking sanction for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's prosecution in connection with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment 'scam', all eyes are on the Raj Bhavan, as to what decision Thaawarchand Gehlot takes.

Based on a petition filed by advocate-activist TJ Abraham, the Governor had issued "showcause notice" on 26 July directing the Chief Minister to submit his reply to the allegations against him within seven days, as to why permission for prosecution should not be granted against him.

Minister of Higher Education MC Sudhakar and Abraham visited the Raj Bhavan and met the Governor, who has returned from his Delhi visit, separately on Tuesday, official sources said. Sudhakar's meeting was to do with issues relating to universities as the Governor is Chancellor, an official said, but did not rule out a discussion regarding the showcause notice.

Abraham said he has "absolutely strong hope" that the prosecution sanction will be given. "It was a fantastic meeting where the Governor wanted to clarify. He wanted to clear the cloud which was around him (the Governor), which was created by the Cabinet. Sitting for more than three hours, they (the Cabinet) could not answer even one of my allegations against the CM, but they find that I'm guilty of being a bad man," he said.

According to sources, the Governor may be exploring options, including suggesting an independent inquiry into the MUDA scam or seeking a probe report from the Lokayukta, with whom the petitioner Abraham has already filed a complaint -- as granting sanction for prosecution "straightaway now" may lead to a long drawn legal battle.

Meanwhile, the fourth day of the 'Mysuru Chalo' protest by BJP and JD(S) began at Nidaghatta near here and is scheduled to cover a distance of 20km to reach the district headquarters city of Mandya. —PTI