Bengaluru, 18 Aug

Congress in Karnataka will stage protests across State on Monday against the permission given by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to prosecute Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for his alleged role in MUDA 'scam'.

“The protest rallies will be held in all district headquarters across the State," said Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who is also the Congress State President, here on Sunday.

He alleged that the Governor was making a case out of nothing and this was a "murder of democracy". Shivakumar said he has instructed the party leaders to carry out peaceful protests and ensure that anti-social elements do not infiltrate the rallies and create trouble.

About the meeting with AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, he said, "We briefed him today (on Sunday) about the developments in the State."

The Deputy CM on Saturday called upon his party leaders and workers to take out a kilometre-long march to the taluk and district level offices and submit memoranda addressed to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, against the Governor's move. "You all know that the BJP and the JD(S) are hatching a big conspiracy against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. It's our duty to fight against it," he said in a post on 'X'.

Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit also weighed in, calling the case against Siddaramaiah “fake”. He said the flats Siddaramaiah received were through compensation. “They should prove that there was something wrong with the compensation provided to Siddaramaiah. And if there was something wrong, BJP was in power at that time. Why did they give the compensation?” he asked.

Members of progressive and AHINDA organisations, Karnataka State Backward Classes Awareness Forum and others will hold a rally on Monday to support Siddaramaiah. They were also planning to hold a bandh in Mysuru on Wednesday and Thursday. His supporters in T Narasipura and Varuna Assembly segments will observe a bandh at T Narasipura on Monday and will also block roads, State highways to register their protest. Members of District Congress Committee will hold a rally titled ‘Governor Hatao, Karnataka Bachao’ at Gandhi Square in Mysuru on Monday.    –Salar News