Governor Will Take Action If Siddaramaiah Doesn't Step Down: BS Yediyurappa

Former Chief Minister and BJP central parliamentary board member BS Yediyurappa said on Saturday that if Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah refuses to step down, the Governor would be forced to initiate action against him.

The BJP has been demanding the Chief Minister's resignation in connection with allegations of his involvement in the irregularities in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).

Speaking to reporters at the venue of the inaugural ceremony of the 'Mysuru Chalo' padyatra by the BJP and JD(S), Mr Yediyurappa said, "This is a final opportunity for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. If he takes moral responsibility and resigns he will preserve his respect and the party's honour. If not, Governor Thaawar Chand Ghelot will have to initiate action against him."

"He should not let this happen. It will be good if he voluntarily submits his resignation. I will suggest that he resigns from his post," he maintained.

Talking about the Bengaluru-Mysuru foot march, Mr Yediyurappa said that 8,000-10,000 party workers from every Assembly constituency will join the padyatra.

Mr Yediyurappa's statements assumes importance in the backdrop of the Governor issuing a show cause notice to the Chief Minister, asking him why consent for prosecution against him should not be given as the charges are prima facie in nature and a complaint has already been lodged with the Karnataka Lokayukta.

The seven days' time limit given to Siddaramaiah to reply to the notice is over.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)