Based on media reports, the Governor sought a report from the Chief secretary on 15 July on the alleged MUDA scam.
Published Aug 01, 2024 | 11:29 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 01, 2024 | 11:29 PM
Cabinet ministers after swearing in on 27th May, 2023
The Karnataka government on Thursday, 1 August “strongly advised” Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot to withdraw the show cause notice he issued to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the alleged ‘scam’ involving Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment and alleged that it was part of a concerted effort to destabilise the Congress regime.
Briefing the media on the Cabinet meeting at Vidhana Soudha, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said that the Cabinet has resolved to advise Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot to withdraw the show cause issued to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the MUDA case.
“The Cabinet discussed threadbare the issue of issuance of show cause notice to the Chief Minister by the Governor. Taking note of the entire factual matrix as well as the well-settled legal position, the Cabinet has unanimously resolved to advise the Governor to withdraw the show cause notice,” he said.
He asked, “There is neither any investigation nor evidence to suggest that the Chief Minister is involved in the MUDA irregularities. How can a democratically elected Chief minister be accused in such a scenario? This is a conspiracy to bring down a CM who came to power with a massive majority. This is a murder of democracy.”
Questioning the merit of trusting someone like TJ Abraham who has criminal antecedents, the petition, he further asked, “Everyone knows the background of the petitioner TJ Abraham, who has criminal antecedents. We know how many petitions he has filed against several leaders and we are also aware that the Supreme Court even fined him. The Governor is trying to destabilise a democratically elected government in the State based on the petition of a person with criminal antecedents.”
Based on media reports, the Governor had sought a report from the Chief secretary on 15 July on the alleged MUDA scam. The letter from the Governor also sought a Judicial inquiry into the alleged irregularities. Taking cognizance of his letter, the CM set up a Judicial Commission under the chairmanship of Justice PN Desai to investigate the case.
“The petitioner TJ Abraham files his petition to the Governor on 26 July. The Chief Secretary also sent a report regarding this on the same day. But the Governor has issued a show cause notice without taking into consideration the report sent by the Chief secretary. Why is the Governor acting in haste? Mere filing of a complaint is not enough, evidence is needed before proceeding with any action. But in this case, the Governor has issued a show cause notice even before any investigation is initiated,” charged the Dy CM.
He explained how the CM’s brother-in-law had purchased the said land five years after denotification and gifted it to his sister through a gift deed. The MUDA has used this piece of the land without re-notifying it and issued to others and thus, the CM’s wife asked for compensation from MUDA.
“Realising the mistake, MUDA decided to issue compensation on a 50:50 basis. When this decision was taken, all the members of MUDA were from the Opposition parties including GT Deve Gowda and Ramadas except a couple of them, who were from Congress. All these things happened during the BJP rule,” he said charging at BJP.
“The Supreme Court had ordered 50 percent compensation in another case in Mysuru. Urban Development Department too formulated a by-law regarding this which is currently in effect. Chief Minister’s wife Parvathamma has nowhere asked for sites in a specific layout. It was MUDA’s decision to allot sites in a particular layout. Parvathamma has every right to seek compensation, what crime has been committed in this,” he asked.
Further questioning the BJP for keeping quiet for two years, DK Shivakumar said, “BJP can’t try to remove a sitting Chief Minister like this. This government is formed with the people’s support and BJP can’t destabilise it. The petitioner (Abraham) has filed complaints against many leaders including BS Yeddyurappa. How many people have been convicted in those cases? There is not even a single proof of irregularity here. In this backdrop, we have decided to advise the Governor to withdraw the show cause notice and dismiss the complaint of the petitioner.”
Asked what the government would do if the Governor doesn’t heed to Cabinet’s advice, he said, “We are confident that the Governor will consider the merits our advice withdraw the notice. There is legal precedence, the Governor will have to tread carefully. The Governor will have to take steps which are befitting the position of the Governor.”
Asked about meeting with the High Command, he said, “The senior leaders are aware that there is no irregularity in this, but this issue was not discussed. We discussed the goings on in the State and ways to strengthen the party in the State.”
(Edited by Neena)
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