Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said that the Congress government led by him is ready to fight legally and politically, in case Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot rejects the Cabinet’s advice to withdraw the “show-cause notice” to him in connection with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment ‘scam’, and grants permission for prosecution.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, “We have said that the show-cause notice has to be withdrawn. Also, we have asked for the petition by T J Abraham (activist) seeking permission for prosecution to be rejected. Let’s see what decision the Governor takes. He has not made a decision yet.”

“We are ready to fight legally...Both legally and politically we will fight,” he said.

Based on a petition filed by advocate-activist T J Abraham, the Governor had issued a “show-cause notice” on July 26 directing the chief minister to submit his reply to the allegations against him within seven days, as to why permission for prosecution should not be granted against him.

The Karnataka government on Thursday “strongly advised” the Governor to withdraw his “show-cause notice” to the chief minister, and alleged “gross misuse of the Constitutional Office’ of the Governor.

The council of Ministers after their meeting, had said a concerted effort is being made to destabilise a lawfully elected majority government in Karnataka for political considerations.

Earlier today, in Bengaluru, Home Minister G Parameshwara expressed hope that the Governor will not reject the Cabinet’s advice to withdraw his “show-cause notice” to the chief minister.

He said, in case the Governor rejects the Cabinet’s advice and grants permission for prosecution against the CM, the Congress government will fight it legally.

“As a Cabinet we have advised the Governor to withdraw his show-cause notice and to reject the petition seeking Siddaramaiah’s prosecution by activist T J Abraham. I’m hopeful and don’t feel that the Governor will do it (sanction prosecution), despite the Cabinet’s advice along with facts,” Parameshwara said.

“He (the Governor) might have some powers, but I don’t feel that he will reject the advice of the Cabinet so easily. In case he still goes ahead and gives permission for prosecution, we will fight legally,” the Home Minister told reporters.