Following the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) registration of a money laundering case against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah related to the MUDA case on Monday, the Congress central leadership indicated it would continue to support the embattled CM and address the situation politically.

AICC sources asserted that the case against Siddaramaiah is merely a political witch hunt, with senior Congress leaders rallying behind him despite ongoing factional disputes within the party. They emphasized that there would be no push for Siddaramaiah’s resignation, even as the BJP calls for him to step down.

“He is a strong candidate to defend. We will tackle this politically. The current situation is different from before the Lok Sabha elections when the BJP was dominant and the Opposition appeared weak. They could arrest leaders like Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren then, but now things have changed,” stated a senior Congress leader.

Some party members noted that the timing of the case’s registration seemed strategic, coinciding with ongoing Assembly elections in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, as well as upcoming elections in Jharkhand and Maharashtra. The Congress, feeling optimistic about its prospects and those of the opposition INDIA bloc in Haryana and J&K, believes that the BJP may need to reconsider its aggressive tactics against political rivals.

“It’s well known that the ED has become a tool for harassment and vendetta against political opponents of the non-biological Prime Minister. The people of Karnataka decisively rejected him in May 2023, and he has not forgotten that humiliation. The Congress believes both he and the ED will soon be thoroughly exposed. We have nothing to fear. The CM of Karnataka will be vindicated,” said Congress communication head Jairam Ramesh.

A month ago, the Congress leadership convened discussions with senior state leaders regarding this issue, urging them to remain united and develop a strategy should the legal proceedings against the chief minister take a serious turn.

The Congress is cautious about any potential leadership changes in the state, as this could disrupt the favorable caste balance achieved with Siddaramaiah in charge. Despite facing corruption allegations, Siddaramaiah has adeptly portrayed the accusations as part of the BJP’s political vendetta against Backward Class leaders.

Party members highlighted Siddaramaiah’s popularity among the Backward Classes, arguing that replacing him during a time when the party is emphasizing OBC representation could have political repercussions. As a member of the Kuruba community, one of the largest OBC groups in the state, Siddaramaiah’s leadership is seen as crucial. Additionally, his government has recently completed a year in office.

In defending Siddaramaiah last month, when Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot granted sanction for his prosecution in the MUDA case, the Congress high command described the case as an attempt to target a chief minister from a Backward Class background.