Karnataka: Congress to hold ‘Raj Bhavan Chalo’ march on August 31 to demand prosecution of HD Kumaraswamy | Mint

In response to the BJP’s recent padyatra demanding the chief minister’s resignation over the land allotment issue, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday announced that the Congress party will hold a ‘Raj Bhavan Chalo’ march demanding prosecution of Union minister HD Kumaraswamy in the mining lease case.

Addressing a press conference at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee office, he said, “Appeals are pending before the Governor seeking permission to prosecute Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, former ministers Murugesh Nirani, Janardhan Reddy and Sasikala Jolle. We are organising a Raj Bhavan Chalo march to seek permission to prosecute these leaders.”

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The Congress has organized a counter program to put pressure on Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot. The ruling party is adopting several tactics to challenge the Governor after his approval to prosecute the Chief Minister in the case.

He said, “The Lokayukta’s appeal seeking permission to prosecute our ‘honest elder brother’ Kumaraswamy in the mining case is pending with the Governor for some time. The Lokayukta has sought permission to prosecute him after a detailed investigation of 10 years, yet the Governor has not yet given the approval.”

He said, “The Raj Bhavan Chalo will start from the Gandhi statue near Vidhan Soudha at 10 am and reach the Raj Bhavan. The Chief Minister, all ministers, Congress MLAs, MLCs and MPs will be part of this rally. We will submit an appeal to the Governor at the end of the rally.”

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He said, “The governor has not given the approval. Though some BJP-JDS leaders have filed chargesheets, the approval has been given without any preliminary inquiry against the chief minister. We have brought it to the notice of the governor that several appeals for approval from the Lokayukta and SIT are pending with him.”

He said, “The Lokayukta SIT had written a letter to the Governor on 21-11-2023, detailing the sections under which Kumaraswamy was chargesheeted for illegal allocation of iron ore mine. The SIT had sought permission from the Governor to prosecute after a detailed investigation over 10 years, but no sanction was granted.”

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He said, “In the case of former minister Sasikala Jolle, the Lokayukta had sought approval under Article 17A. After preliminary investigation, approval has also been sought against former minister Murugesh Nirani. Approval has also been sought against Janardhan Reddy in the disproportionate assets case. Preliminary investigation has been completed in all these cases.”

Speaking on Kumaraswamy’s claim of forged signatures on approval of mining licences, Shivakumar said, “I have heard Kumaraswamy saying that the signature approving the mining licences was not his. This investigation has been going on for 10 years. If the signatures are forged, why has he not lodged a complaint yet?”

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He questioned, “Kumaraswamy had also applied for bail in this case. In the affidavit, Kumaraswamy has admitted that he had approved the mining license for Sri Sai Venkatesh Minerals. The FIR in the case was lodged in 2011 itself. If his signature was not there, then why would he apply for bail in the case?”

“Mr Kumaraswamy, you have taken oath on the Constitution. Now you cannot admit in court during bail plea that the signature is not yours. If your signature is indeed forged, then file a complaint,” he urged.

When asked if the government will investigate Kumaraswamy’s allegation that his signatures were forged, he said, “First let him file a complaint; then we will investigate it. I don’t know why he is delaying filing a complaint; he can file a complaint online also. ‘Innocent’ Kumaraswamy should file a complaint on forged signatures the same way his government did against Yeddyurappa in 2011.”

On the issue of giving land to Jindal and Kharge’s trusts, he said, “All decisions of the government should be ready for public review. We will answer about this later. How much land did the Yediyurappa and Bommai governments give to which institution?”

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He said, “Many requests have been made for places from the media as well. Many requests have been made from media organisations as well. The trust’s land is not for personal use, it is for the public good. The Industry Minister has already issued a statement in this regard. I will comment on it after studying it.”

KPCC working president G.C. Chandrasekhar, spokesperson M. Laxman and women’s wing president Soumya Reddy, among others, attended the press meet.