Congress MLC Ivan D'Souza Warns Karnataka Governor Of 'Bangladesh-like Fate', BJP Reacts

Karnataka Congress leader Ivan D’Souza on Monday warned Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot of a “Bangladesh-like fate” for giving sanction to investigate Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over alleged irregularities in land allotment by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). He said if the Governor “doesn’t withdraw his order, then the Governor in Karnataka will face the same fate as the Prime Minister in Bangladesh”.

“If the Governor doesn’t withdraw his order, or if the President doesn’t compel him to do so, then the Governor in Karnataka will face the same fate as the Prime Minister in Bangladesh, who had to flee the country. Our next protest will be at the Governor’s office,” D’Souza said.

Karnataka Congress workers and leaders staged protests denouncing the Governor’s actions. D’Souza made the comments while speaking at one such protest. He was referring to massive protests against former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina which led to her fleeing the country before agitators stormed her official residence and vandalised it.

On August 17, Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot had granted approval and sanction for a probe against CM Siddaramaiah in connection with the irregularities in the MUDA scheme.

The Karnataka High Court on Monday ruled that no proceedings shall be conducted before the special court against CM Siddaramaiah in the alleged Muda scam until his plea against the state governor is heard.

On Congress MLC Ivan D’Souza’s statement, BJP MP Captain Brijesh Chowta said, “It is disgraceful and shameful what MLC Ivan D’Souza has said in Bangalore. They have no respect for the constitution and the constitutional post of the Governor…I urge the DG of Karnataka police to take suo-moto action against Ivan D’Souza and all those involved in the process. A case has to be filed against this unconstitutional method which they have used in the protest…”

BJP MLA Bharath Shetty said, “Congress MLC Ivan Dsouza has given a hateful and provocative statement against the honourable Governor of Karnataka by stating that Bangladesh type of situation shall be witnessed in Karnataka if the Governor is not sent back.”

“Ivan’s words reflect the culture of Congress and Rahul Gandhi who wants to turn India into Pakistan and Bangladesh, and who is intolerant against the honourable Governor hailing from a Dalit background for acting against corrupt Siddaramiah,” he added.