Published Jul 25, 2024 | 8:10 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 25, 2024 | 8:10 PM
A delegation of the BJP and the JD(S) met the Karnataka Governor. (Screengrab)
A delegation of BJP and JD(S) MLAs in Karnataka called upon state Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot on Thursday, 25 July, and urged him to hand over the probe into the alleged scam in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) and Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation to the CBI.
They also filed a complaint against the Congress-led state government for adjourning the Assembly session without discussing the issues and demanded the resignation of the chief minister.
BJP state president and MLA BY Vijayendra said discussions and decisions regarding the upcoming protests related to the alleged scams would be made with their NDA partner JD(S).
Vijayendra criticised the Congress for staging protests against the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and for filing an FIR against ED officials “to intimidate them”.
He noted that the Karnataka High Court had issued a stay on the FIR against the ED.
Vijayendra claimed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was scared of the alleged MUDA and Valmiki Corporation scams.
He said he expected Siddaramaiah to challenge the Opposition with a detailed discussion on the alleged MUDA scam and accused him of fleeing from the debate.
The Shikaripura MLA said that they met the Governor and urged him to hand over the probe on the alleged MUDA scam to the CBI for investigation and to demand the chief minister’s resignation.
Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the state Assembly R Ashoka stated that the state government was involved in massive scams.
He claimed that a ruling party (in Karnataka) had never faced such humiliation in the Assembly.
Ashoka alleged the involvement of the chief minister in the two “scams” adding that the MUDA scam was worth ₹3,000 crore to ₹4,000 crore and the Valmiki Corporation scandal was worth ₹187 crore.
He also accused the chief minister of violating the Constitution, which he swore to protect.
Ashoka said the Opposition members were not given a chance to speak in the Assembly, and claimed that the Speaker was biased towards Congress.
He reiterated their demand for the chief minister’s resignation and said they submitted a memorandum to the Governor.
Meanwhile, MLC CT Ravi criticised the illegal purchase of SC land saying it was against the law.
He claimed that the government was well aware of the wrongdoings and was avoiding answering it in the Assembly or providing any records for scrutiny.
He said that they had prepared documents to present in the Assembly and that if the chief minister was innocent, he would have allowed the debate.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)
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