New Delhi, Aug 23 (Reporter) Congress on Friday reaffirmed the party's united support for Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah following state Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot's decision to sanction his prosecution. The party held a high-level meeting here, in the presence of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other senior leaders, Speaking to the media after the meeting, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar emphasised the Congress party's determination to resist what they perceive as attempts by the BJP to destabilise the state government. "The entire Congress party, under the leadership of Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, has thoroughly discussed the political developments in Karnataka. They stand with us, fully aware of the harassment we have endured. They know the BJP aims to destabilize our government, but the entire party, from the grassroots to the national level, is united behind Siddaramaiah,” Shivakumar asserted. He further highlighted the party’s unwavering support for Siddaramaiah, particularly in his efforts to uplift the downtrodden and backward classes in Karnataka. "Karnataka is one of the biggest states, and the BJP wants to destabilise it. The Congress will not allow this,” Shivakumar added, emphasising the importance of maintaining stability in the state. The meeting, which also included Congress leaders like Randeep Singh Surjewala and KC Venugopal, was convened in response to the purported MUDA scandal allegedly involving Siddaramaiah’s wife, which has sparked a political firestorm. The controversy intensified after the Karnataka Governor granted permission to prosecute the Chief Minister, a decision the Congress has strongly opposed. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed his gratitude to the party’s leadership for their support. “I would like to thank the High Command, particularly Mallikarjun Kharge ji, Rahul Gandhi ji, Venugopal ji, and Surjewala ji, for engaging in the discussions. "We have explained the developments and the situation in Karnataka, including the Governor’s partisan decision to sanction my prosecution. This has been challenged in court and is scheduled for a hearing on August 29. We believe in the courts, in the law of the land, and we hope for justice, as the Governor’s decision is both unconstitutional and illegal,” Siddaramaiah stated. Randeep Singh Surjewala also spoke out, condemning the Governor’s decision as “constitutionally flawed, legally indefensible, and a political misstep.” He vowed that the Congress party would challenge the decision both in the courts and before the public. “The people of Karnataka stand with us. We have full faith in the Constitution of India, and we believe that the law is on our side. The Honorable High Court, and if necessary, a higher court, will make the right decision, and Satyamev Jayate—truth alone triumphs—will prevail,” Surjewala affirmed. With the court hearing set for August 29th, the Congress is exploring all options, including the possibility of seeking an audience with the President of India...////...