No reason for Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah to resign: JD(S) MLA G.T. Deve Gowda

He called on leaders of Karnataka and the Centre to focus on developmental works rather than seeking Mr Siddaramaiah’s resignation.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who has been stonewalling demands for his resignation following registration of an FIR against him in the alleged MUDA scam, received support from unexpected quarters on October 3.

Senior JD(S) leader and Chamundeshwari MLA G. T. Deve Gowda, who heads the party’s core committee, came to Mr Siddaramaiah’s defence at the inaugural function of Dasara festivities atop Chamundi Hills in Mysuru.

Reacting to demands for Mr Siddaramaiah’s resignation, Mr Gowda dared all the politicians facing FIRs to submit their resignations ‘if they have the guts’.

“If one has to resign after an FIR is registered against them, many, including Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly R. Ashok and leaders in the JD(S) and the Congress, will have to resign,” Mr. Gowda said before asking if Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H. D. Kumaraswamy would quit if a demand for his resignation is raised.

“Though the Governor and the court have ordered an investigation, there is no law that states that a person under investigation has to resign, or go to jail.”

Mr Gowda called on leaders of Karnataka and the Centre to focus on developmental works rather than seeking Mr Siddaramaiah’s resignation.

“How can Mr Siddaramaiah, who led the Congress to power with the victory of 136 MLAs from the party, quit when neither the court nor the Governor had asked for his resignation?”