RTI Activist TJ Abraham a Blackmailer, Central Govt Trying to Topple State Govt: Siddaramaiah

“The Central Government is attempting to misuse the Governor’s office to destabilize the elected government, which has the support of 136 MLAs. The Governor seems to be acting as a tool of the Central Government by issuing a notice to the CM without consulting legal experts. This is akin to undermining the Indian constitution and destroying democracy,” said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Speaking to reporters here in Mysuru on Friday, the CM said,  “The Governor should act on the advice of the council of ministers. Consequently, there has been an extensive discussion about the show-cause notice issued to me. The council has informed the Governor that the notice is unconstitutional and illegal, and they have requested its withdrawal,” noted the Karnataka CM.

He further commented, “RTI activist T J Abraham, who filed a complaint against me with the Governor, is a blackmailer, as evidenced by his bank RTGS statements. Numerous complaints against Shashikala Jolle, Murugesh Nirani, and Janardhan Reddy have been pending before the Governor for years with no swift action. However, in my case, Abraham filed a complaint on July 26 at 11:30 am, and the Governor issued a show-cause notice the same day.”

“The Chief Secretary wrote a detailed letter to the Governor on the same day, which he did not read. A judicial commission was appointed on July 14 to investigate the MUDA issue, and actions should be taken based on their report. However, the Governor issued the notice without waiting for the report or consulting legal experts. The Governor’s Special Officer, Prabhu Shankar, contacted our Additional Chief Secretary to the CM, L K Atheek, at 10:00 pm on the same day. Since it was late, Shankar sent the notice the next day at 2:00 pm,” explained CM Siddaramaiah.

Regarding the Congress high command’s response, he stated they understood the situation.

He also mentioned, “Initially, H D Kumaraswamy advised focusing on relief measures due to the ongoing rain and floods. If he has changed his mind about participating in BJP’s padayatra, it is his decision.”

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that he would visit Nanjangud taluk in Mysuru district on Saturday.

“All MLAs and district ministers are visiting areas where dams are filled and floods have impacted riverbanks. They are assessing damages to houses, roads, bridges, and electric poles. We have decided in the cabinet to provide housing in addition to SDRF funds,” he stated.