Bengaluru, 25 Sept

Opposition BJP and JD(S) on Wednesday sought to step up its demand for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's resignation following the High Court's verdict in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case as they tried to lay siege to his residence here.

Holding posters, placards and raising slogans, members of BJP Yuva Morcha marched towards "Cauvery" but the police thwarted their attempt, took them into preventive custody and whisked them away in a bus.

Leaders and workers of the JD(S), an NDA partner, headed by former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, staged a demonstration at the Freedom Park here before proceeding to "Cauvery" but were stopped by police.

BJP National Spokesperson CR Kesavan on questioned why Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has not sought Siddaramaiah's resignation.

"It was very shocking to see a beleaguered, lame duck Siddaramaiah desperately clinging on to his chair after losing his moral compass," Kesavan told ANI.

"What was even more shocking and dismaying was Rahul’s cunning opportunistic politics. Instead of asking Siddaramaiah to tender his resignation, Rahul is protecting him. Why is Rahul tongue-tied? Why is he voiceless?" he added.

Meanwhile, State BJP president BY Vijayendra demanded an apology from Congress leaders to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot for maligning his reputation by accusing him of being a political puppet.

High Court on Tuesday upheld the sanction granted by the Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to conduct an investigation against Siddaramaiah on the allegations of illegalities in the allotment of 14 sites to his wife B M Parvathi by MUDA.

The court had also vacated its 19 August interim order directing the Special Court to defer the decision on complaints against the Chief Minister, giving the green signal for ordering a probe.

It had also dismissed Siddaramaiah's petition challenging the legality of the Governor's August 16 order granting approval for investigation under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act, 1988. -PTI