BJP hits out at Karnataka government for withdrawing general consent to CBI

“Congress Ek Zameen Se Judi Huyi Party Hai (the Congress is a party associated with land). Wherever it gains power, it reallocates land intended for SC/ST communities to the names of its relatives. Congress party’s primary function is looting once it comes into power. In Karnataka, thousands of crores were misappropriated in the name of the MUDA scam, and now Congress is behaving like a professional thief. To evade the law, it has even retracted the general consent it previously gave to the CBI for investigations. They committed corruption, and when the investigation began to target them, the Congress party withdrew its consent for action, acting like a professional thief. It is not an exaggeration to say that the Congress party’s approach has shifted to stealing first and then acting with impunity. This attitude toward corruption is not just evident in Karnataka but has become pervasive throughout the entire country,” he said.

He added, “Recently, the Chief Minister of Karnataka has faced three strikes. First, the Governor characterized the MUDA scam as a significant scandal and agreed to its investigation. The second strike came from an order issued by the Karnataka High Court, while the third strike was from a Special Court that ordered the filing of an FIR against the Chief Minister. Despite these three strikes, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Congress party exhibited notable reactions. They initially questioned the judgment of the discerning and diligent Governor Shri Thawar Chand Gehlot, who belongs to the SC community. A Congress leader went so far as to insult the Governor, verbally abuse him, and issue threats against him.”

Poonawalla said that the High Court, while vindicating the Governor, stated that the Governor made the right decision in ensuring that the sanction for investigation against the Chief Minister was approved. “In paragraph 53 of the order, the court noted that had the petitioner not been in a position of power, his family would not have received such benefits. The order further mentioned that ‘merely because the wife of the petitioner has indulged in these acts, legal or illegal, the petitioner cannot be said to be completely ignorant of what is happening in the life of his wife. Therefore, its prima facie depicts stretching of the arms of undue influence and portrays abuse of power of the seat of the CM or any other post held by the petitioner,” Poonawalla said. “The High Court clearly said that it is because the Chief Minister holds a position of power that such significant benefits have been granted to his family.”

Beyond the MUDA scam, Poonawalla added, there has also been the Valmiki scam, where funds intended for the Dalit and tribal communities were used to purchase a Lamborghini andalcohol and the money was utilized for election purposes.

“Yet, the Congress party shamelessly claims that a scam did happen, but it was not for ₹180 crores, rather, it was only₹90 crores,” he said. “Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party rush to the CBI and ED with complaints about liquor scams whenever it suits them, shouting slogans across Delhi that Kejriwal is a thief. However, when it doesn’t suit their narrative, they turn around and accuse the CBI and ED. Does Rahul Gandhi acknowledge that the MUDA scam took place? Does he view the insult to the Governor as wrong? If Rahul Gandhi does not consent then without any delay, Siddamaraiah must resign and step down for a free and fair probe.”