Despite Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah maintaining that the appeal against the Jaya verdict in the DA case has nothing to do with the DMK or the AIADMK, he indicated that the State would take legal decision on the appeal.
Addressing a Press meet organised by the Bengaluru Press Club and Bengaluru Reporters’ Guild on Wednesday in Bengaluru on the occasion of the ruling Congress completing two years in office, the Chief Minister said the decision to appeal at the Supreme Court would be based on a legal opinion.
He said “We have got nothing to do with the DMK or the AIADMK. We will take a legal decision.” However, a source in the Government told The Pioneer that the legal department and Special Public Prosecutor BV Acharya had held discussion and would appeal in the apex court against the verdict in a day or two. It is learnt that the Chief Minister had held a discussion with the party high command on the issue and had got a go-ahead based on legal opinion.
Siddaramaiah said the Government will decide on whether to file an appeal in the Supreme Court or not after consulting SPP BV Acharya and the State law department.
“We will discuss with Acharya, the law department and study the judgement and then decide whether or not to file an appeal (in the Supreme Court),” he said.
Regarding the criticism the Government has been facing for failing to take a timely decision on appointing the SPP which eventually resulted in Jayalalithaa’s acquittal, the Chief Minister said, “The case was transferred from Tamil Nadu to Karnataka. Tamil Nadu had then appointed the SPP. When the Supreme Court told us it is our responsibility (to appoint SPP), Acharya was appointed.” He said, “Acharya was appointed within 48 hours timeline. Acharya has only said he did not get an opportunity for oral submission.”
The verdict by Justice CR Kumaraswamy vindicating former TN Chief Minister and AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa had given a new political lease of life to her and the political parties in Tamil Nadu, including the DMK and the Congress. The Special Public Prosecutor has been demanding that the Karnataka Government should file an appeal against the May 11 High Court verdict at the Supreme Court. The DMK on Tuesday had said it will support the Karnataka Government if the latter filed an appeal against Jayalalithaa’s acquittal.
Meanwhile, PMK leader Dr S Ramadoss has submitted a letter to Siddaramaiah to act immediately and file and objection against the verdict. In fact, SPP BV Acharya had said that there were glaring arithmetical error in the judgement and said it was sufficient for an appeal against the verdict.