Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge seeks resignation of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, other BJP leaders

Karnataka Minister demands Nirmala Sitharaman's resignation over electoral bond scandal, implicating BJP leaders in FIR, amid political accusations.

Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge on Sunday (September 29, 2024) demanded the resignation of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman after a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against her in Bengaluru, following a court direction for allegedly extorting money through now scrapped electoral bonds.

Ms. Sitharaman represents Karnataka in the Rajya Sabha. The Tilak Nagar police in Bengaluru registered the FIR against her on September 28, 2024.

The FIR was registered based on a petition filed by the Janadhikara Sangharsh Parishath (NGO). It was filed based on court directions, charging the accused under sections 384 (punishment for extortion) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) read with 34 (acts done with common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). ED officials, office-bearers of the BJP at the state and national level, BJP Karnataka chief B.Y. Vijayendra, party leader Nalin Kumar Kateel have also been named in the FIR.

Addressing presspersons at the Congress party office here, Mr. Kharge alleged that companies which incurred huge losses have made major donations to the BJP through the Electoral Bond scheme and the court found valid grounds to direct the police to register the FIR against Sitharaman, and BJP leaders.

“If you have morality, then drive out former BJP Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and his son B.Y. Vijayendra who is also the Karnataka BJP president. Sack Nirmala Sitharaman and Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R. Ashoka,” Mr. Kharge said. He also added, “MLA Munirathna should be expelled from the BJP for his alleged involvement in a rape case.”

Mr. Kharge said, “Don’t scare Congress leaders with the offices of the Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate and the Raj Bhavan. This is the Standard Operating Procedure of the BJP. We will not be scared. We have a history of 140 years of struggle and will continue our struggle for another 140 years. We grew up fighting against your policies and principles. First, put your house in order before coming for us.”

There are FIRs against 23 ministers, including Union Industries Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, in the Narendra Modi government, Mr. Kharge alleged and defended Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the alleged MUDA scam.