Insisting that BJP wants to tarnish his clean reputation built over 4 decades, Siddaramaiah said alternate site was allotted under BJP rule.
Published Jul 27, 2024 | 8:17 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 27, 2024 | 8:17 PM
CM Siddaramaiah. (Supplied)
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, under scanner in the alleged MUDA scam, claimed the Mysore Urban Development Authority “illegally” took over 3.16 acres belonging to his family, and converted it to plots, roads, and parks.
Defending himself, the Congress leader said the plots were then allotted to others.
Siddaramaiah said the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) allotted plots elsewhere in a 50:50 ratio.
“This process was conducted lawfully. When I was Chief Minister, I did not take the alternate [sic] plot; instead, the BJP government gave the alternate plot to my family,” he said on X on Saturday, 27 July.
The chief minister said the same BJP leaders were now accusing him of a scam in the site allocation. “This clearly shows their political malice,” he said.
Siddaramaiah said the BJP was aiming to tarnish his “spotless” reputation, built over the past 40 years.
Without permission, MUDA illegally took 3.16 acres of land from my family and converted it into plots, roads, and parks, which were then given to others. As compensation, they allotted plots elsewhere in a 50:50 ratio.
This process was conducted lawfully. When I was Chief… pic.twitter.com/14fwk7z7qQ
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) July 27, 2024
The Opposition BJP and JD(S) have been demanding Siddaramaiah’s resignation and a CBI probe into the alleged scam, said to have MUDA hundreds of crores. The BJP and JD(S) MLAs and MLCs even staged a nightlong sit-in on Wednesday, demanding a discussion on the issue.
Siddaramaiah has been refusing to hand over the case to the CBI. He said he was being targeted since he belonged to a backward caste.
MUDA’s 50:50 incentive scheme offered individuals who lost their land 50 percent of the developed plots or an alternative site.
It has been alleged that several individuals received more than what was offered, and some even got alternative plots in areas where the guidance value — official minimum value — was significantly high.
The Opposition claimed Siddaramaiah’s wife was allotted 14 sites in an upmarket area with higher guidance value in Mysuru, in return for her over three acres acquired at Kesare.
The land at Kesare village was gifted to Siddaramaiah’s wife by Mallikarjun Swamy, her brother in 2010, six years after he had purchased it.
Allegations of influential people and realtors receiving the plots — instead of the real beneficiaries — were also raised.
It was also alleged that sites were allocated despite two government orders against it. The orders directed MUDA to cancel the allocations until clear guidelines were set.
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