Amid the ongoing controversy over alleged MUDA scam, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah's wife - Parvathi - has taken a dramatic step.
Published Oct 01, 2024 | 12:40 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 01, 2024 | 12:53 AM
Karantaka CM's wife ready to return MUDA sites
Amidst the ongoing investigation by the Karnataka Lokayukta into the alleged MUDA land scam, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, has taken a dramatic step by voluntarily returning 14 sites that have become a focal point of the controversy.
In a letter to the Mysuru Urban Development Authority’s (MUDA) Commissioner (Raghunandan AN), Parvathi submitted that she is willing to return all 14 sites that were allocated to her in Mysuru’s Vijayanagar as compensation by the same authority.
Parvathi’s decision comes in the wake of mounting allegations against her husband (Siddaramaiah), and she has publicly expressed her commitment to protecting his “unblemished political legacy”.
This unexpected move has sparked intense political debate, with the BJP interpreting her actions as an “admission of guilt.” The opposition parties continue to demand the resignation of the Chief Minister, citing that he would influence the Loakyukta probe on the alleged scam.
In a letter addressed to the MUDA’s Commissioner, Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, stated: “As all are aware, Mysore Urban Development Authority has allotted 14 plots of various sizes in the 3rd and 4th stage of Vijayanagar as compensation for the authority using my land measuring 3 acres 16 gunte in Survey No. 464 of Kesare Village at Kasaba Hobbali in Mysuru without land acquisition.
“Further, I wish to surrender and return the compensation plots by cancelling the deeds of 14 plots executed in my favour by the MUDA. I am also handing over the possession of the plots back to the MUDA,” the Chief Minister’s wife urged the MUDA commissioner to take necessary measures on the matter.
Parvathi broke her silence on the MUDA land allotment controversy, pointing to her husband’s 40-year-long, unblemished political career, she expressed her pain over the unfair allegations.
In a press statement, Parvathi said: “My husband, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has built his 40-year political career on unwavering ethics, ensuring that not even the smallest blemish could taint his legacy.”
“Throughout my life in the public eye, I made it my principle never to embarrass him. I never sought wealth, property, or status, and I was always proud to see the love and respect people had for him,” added the CM’s wife.
Stating that she is deeply hurt by the recent allegations regarding the MUDA land allotment in Mysuru, she said: “I never imagined that my husband would face such unfair accusations, especially over a land I received from my brother during a religious ceremony.”
“For me, nothing—no land, house, or wealth—is greater than my husband’s honour, dignity, and peace of mind. These plots mean nothing to me, as I never desired anything for myself or my family from his years in power. That is why, I have made the decision to return the 14 MUDA plots, which has become the centre of this controversy,” stated the CM’s wife.
On returning sites, she said: “I reached this decision on my own, without discussing it with my husband, son, or any other family members. It is my personal resolve, a conclusion I arrived at to maintain the values I have always stood by.”
“Some might wonder why I’ve chosen to act now. I actually made this decision the moment the allegations arose. However, I hesitated because well-wishers advised me not to fall into a politically motivated trap.”
“Yet, my decision is firm. Along with returning the plots, I will also demand a full and transparent investigation into all allegations related to the MUDA land scam,” Parvathi demanded detailed probe on the allegations.
In the wake of CM Siddaramaiah’s wife Parvathi’s decision to return 14 plots linked to the MUDA land allotment controversy, the BJP has termed her move as an “admission of guilt.
BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP Lahar Singh who raised the MUDA row in the parliament for the first time in July told South First that Parvathi Siddaramaiah’s move is an admission of guilt. “I stand vindicated today. I had told the Rajya Sabha that I would quit if my allegations are proven to be wrong,” added Lahar Singh.
“The fact that the sites are being returned is an admission of guilt. Had the CM done this earlier, it would have saved him and the state this embarrassment,” MP Singh said.
In his post on X, Legislative Assembly’s opposition leader R Ashoka said: “As the law tightens around the MUDA scam, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has decided to return the 14 plots acquired in his wife’s name.”
ಮೂಡಾ ಹಗರಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾನೂನಿನ ಕುಣಿಕೆ ಬಿಗಿಯಾಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದಂತೆ ಸಿಎಂ @siddaramaiah ಅವರು ತಮ್ಮ ಪತ್ನಿ ಹೆಸರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಪಡೆದಿದ್ದ 14 ಸೈಟುಗಳನ್ನ ಹಿಂತಿರುಗಿಸುವ ನಿರ್ಧಾರ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದು, ನಾನು ತಪ್ಪೇ ಮಾಡಿಲ್ಲ ಎನ್ನುತ್ತಿದ್ದವರು ಈಗ ತಮ್ಮ ತಪ್ಪನ್ನ ಒಪ್ಪಿಕೊಂಡು ಸತ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಶರಣಾಗಿರುವುದು ನಮ್ಮ ಹೋರಾಟದ ಹಾದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿರುವ ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ಜಯ.… pic.twitter.com/eIkCuVpMgX
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) September 30, 2024
“This move signals that those who claimed to have done nothing wrong are now acknowledging their mistakes and surrendering to the truth, marking another victory in our ongoing struggle for justice,” Ashoka added that it’s a victory for opposition.
He continued: “However, the question remains: does returning the stolen goods absolve the thief of their wrongdoing? Is the act of theft forgiven simply because the items are returned?”
“CM Siddaramaiah must face a thorough investigation and should resign from his position to ensure an impartial and transparent inquiry. Until that happens, our struggle will persist,” Ashoka demanded resignation of the Chief Minister.
Hours after Parvati’s letter to MUDA was released to the media, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah claimed that her decision came as a surprise to him. In a post on X, Siddaramaiah said: “My wife, Parvati, has returned the sites that were given in the form of compensation for the land that was seized by MUDA in Mysuru without carrying out land acquisition.”
Siddaramaiah said his wife, who has never interfered in his public life and has limited herself to the family, was a victim of ‘politics of hate’ against him and was subjected to psychological torture. “Upset with the political conspiracy against me, she has taken a decision to return these sites. Her decision has surprised me too,” the Karnataka chief minister said, adding that he respects Parvathi’s decision to return the sites to MUDA.
(Edited by Neena)
