Bengaluru: If Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot sanctions the prosecution of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah regarding the alleged 50:50 site scam at Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), the Congress party plans to wage a legal battle and will petition the President of India to recall the Karnataka Governor.

As the BJP-JD(S) Mysuru Chalo Padayatra is nearing Mysuru, the heat over the scam intensifies. In response, AICC General Secretaries K.C. Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala (Karnataka Incharge) held a meeting with CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar.

Venugopal conveyed to the CM and Dy. CM that they have consulted legal experts like P. Chidambaram and Abhishek Manu Singhvi. “We must be prepared to fight this legally,” Venugopal reportedly said, advising readiness for court battles if social activist T.J. Abraham pursues legal action.

Possible legal battle

The Congress leadership believes the chances of the Governor approving prosecution are high. They plan to challenge any Court notice vigorously and, if necessary, escalate the matter to the Supreme Court.

The Congress intends to frame this as a battle between the CM and the Government, not merely a personal issue between the Governor and the CM. They plan to mirror struggles seen in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala and New Delhi, questioning the Governor’s legal authority and presenting facts to the public.

The AICC leaders emphasised support for CM Siddaramaiah, instructing all Ministers and leaders to back him fully and to counter the BJP-JD(S) campaign to defame the Government.