In response to BJP protests demanding his resignation, Siddaramaiah questioned, "What was Snehamayi Krishna's petition, and what order has the Governor issued? A probe has been ordered—opposing it shows the BJP's false accusations”
Published Nov 06, 2024 | 3:23 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 06, 2024 | 4:24 PM
Karnataka CM deposes before Lokayukta(Supplied)
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah appeared before the Lokayukta in Mysuru, to respond to questions regarding his involvement in the controversial Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land allotment case.
Addressing the media after his deposition, the chief minister stated that he had answered all the questions posed by the Lokayukta and his statement had been recorded.
“I have replied to all the questions of the Lokayukta. They have recorded my statement and have read it back to me. I have told them the truth. There is no embarrassment in appearing before the Lokayukta,” Siddaramaiah said. He also dismissed the charges against him, calling the case “false” and emphasising that he had nothing to hide.
The controversy centres around the allocation of 14 premium sites by MUDA to Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, in 2022. These sites were granted as compensation for a 3.16-acre plot of land, which was gifted to Parvathi by her brother in 2010.
MUDA had acquired this land for the development of a layout, and the 14 premium sites were allocated under a 50:50 formula. The issue came to light earlier this year and sparked a massive public outcry, with opposition parties accusing Siddaramaiah of misusing his position to benefit his family.
The BJP launched protests, including a “Mysuru Chalo” padayatra, demanding the chief minister’s resignation, accusing him of pressuring officials for the land allotment. Siddaramaiah, however, rejected the claims, asserting that the site allocation took place when the BJP was in power in Karnataka, and that he had no role in it.
Reacting to protests by the BJP’s Mysuru unit, which raised slogans demanding his resignation, Siddaramaiah countered, “What does Go Back Siddaramaiah mean? Is the BJP against an investigation of Lokayukta? If they are opposing it then it clearly shows that they have made false accusations,” Siddaramaiah hit back at the BJP.
Siddaramaiah also took a dig at the BJP’s demand to hand over the probe to the CBI, stating, “CBI is under whose control? Has the BJP ever handed over any case or scam to the CBI? This is a live example of their hypocrisy.”
He also pointed out that the Lokayukta was a state-level independent agency similar to the CBI, stressing that those questioning the investigation’s legitimacy had never recommended the CBI in any other case.
The controversy escalated when Karnataka Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot intervened in the matter. Based on a petition filed by RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna, Gehlot allowed the prosecution of Siddaramaiah, citing the seriousness of the allegations.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court on 5 November, issued notices to Siddaramaiah, his family members, and several other parties, including the Union and state governments and the Lokayukta, in response to Krishna’s petition.
The petition seeks the transfer of the MUDA case to the CBI, alleging that the ongoing investigation is politically motivated. The High Court also ordered the Lokayukta to present details of the investigation conducted so far and adjourned the hearing to 26 November.
Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, and her brother, Mallikarjuna Swamy, have also been named in the case. Following the public outcry, Parvathi returned the 14 sites to MUDA on 1 October, and the authority took back the sites on 3 October.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
