Today in Politics: Bengal BJP continues protests over Kolkata rape-murder

This comes a day after the BJP’s 12-hour bandh in the state.

The bandh, however, evoked a mixed response amid clashes between party workers and police in several parts of the state.

The BJP workers took to the streets in Kolkata since dawn, and launched rail blockades at various stations in the state to ensure the bandh was successful. Train services were disrupted between Bangaon-Sealdah which was later reinstated. Bandh supporters also blocked the Bandel-Howrah local train at Hooghly Station in the morning as they sat on the railway tracks. However, the police removed the BJP workers from the spot after a while.

Meanwhile, the ruling Trinamool Congress, which is facing scrutiny over its handling of the case, held a meeting on the foundation day of its student wing, Trinamool Chhatra Parishad, during the day.

Karnataka HC to continue hearing Siddaramaiah petition

On Thursday, the Karnataka High Court is set to resume hearing on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s petition challenging the legality of Governor Thaawarchand’s sanction for his prosecution in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case.

Amidst this, the Karnataka Congress is rallying together and sending a signal of unity.

On August 16, Karnataka Governor Tawar Chand Gehlot gave approval to investigate the CM’s involvement in the alleged scam in response to petitions filed by three anti-corruption activists — T J Abraham, Snehamayi Krishna and Pradeep Kumar.

Then, on August 19, Siddaramaiah moved to the High Court challenging the legality of the Governor’s order. The HC then directed the special court that was slated to hear complaints against him in the case, to defer its proceedings.

In the petition, the Chief Minister submitted that the sanction order was issued without due “application of mind, in violation of statutory mandates, and contrary to constitutional principles, including the advice of the Council of Ministers, which is binding under Article 163 of the Constitution of India”.

The court proceedings will be keenly watched for its possible political impact.

Throughout the proceedings, the Congress has been rallying behind Siddaramaiah.

In context: On August 24, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal, and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala met Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar at the party headquarters in New Delhi.

Addressing the media after the meeting, Surjewala said the sanction against the CM was “an attack on the people of Karnataka”.

Shivakumar reiterated that the state Congress was united behind Siddaramaiah.

And other Congress leaders such as Karnataka Home minister G Parameshwara who is said to harbour CM aspirations of his own are backing the CM. Parameshwara also indicated on Wednesday that a delegation of ruling Congress legislators may meet President Droupadi Murmu to complain against Gehlot over the sanction for prosecution. He said a tentative plan has been made in this regard and a call is likely to be taken on the move after considering developments in the court.

The Congress is wary of a change of guard in the state as it can upset the caste balance that is in its favour with Siddaramaiah at the helm. Despite the perceived loss of moral ground in the wake of the corruption allegations, Siddaramaiah has strategically played his cards to suggest that the accusations are part of the BJP’s political vendetta against Backward Class leaders.

— With PTI inputs