MUDA Scam: BJP Slams Siddaramaiah, Calls Wife's Decision to Return Plots 'Acceptance of Wrongdoing'

Bengaluru: Hours after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed surprise at his wife Parvathi B M's decision to give up ownership of 14 plots, Karnataka BJP chief B Y Vijayendra claimed that this move indicates Siddaramaiah's acceptance of wrongdoing in the MUDA (Mysuru Urban Development Authority) 'scam' and demanded his immediate resignation.

Vijayendra described her move as a "political drama" and alleged that it was aimed at “escaping from legal hurdles” adding, Siddaramaiah should step down as Chief Minister.

"Before resigning as Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah should apologise to the Governor (Thaawarchand Gehlot) for alleging that he was behaving like a puppet in the hands of the Centre," he said.

Vijayendra also called for adequate police protection for social activist Snehamayi Krishna, whose complaint prompted the Lokayukta police to register an FIR against Siddaramaiah, his wife, and two others.

MUDA Scam turning out to be like Watergate scandal: BJP 's CR Kesavan

Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan also called for CM Siddaramaiah's resignation and equated the MUDA scam with the Watergate scandal. He said, “MUDA land scam involving the Congress Chief Minister and his immediate family is turning out to be like the Watergate scandal of Karnataka politics. This has brought the entire governance and administration of the Karnataka government to a complete standstill.”

"Today, we have read that the Chief Minister's spouse has offered to surrender the 14 controversial plots. This raises very serious doubts and questions because only a few days before CM Siddaramaiah claimed that he was wronged and he needed Rs 62 crore compensation for returning these plots and today you have the Chief Minister's wife saying she'll unconditionally return these plots. So something is definitely not adding up here and it raises more questions. So rather than writing letters to surrender and return plots, it's time the Chief Minister submits his resignation letter at once...," he added.

Earlier on Monday, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), akin to a police FIR, against Siddaramaiah concerning alleged irregularities in the allotment of the 14 sites to his wife by MUDA. In a surprising turn of events, Parvathi B M wrote to MUDA later that day, expressing her intention to surrender the plots.

Decision to return these plots has surprised me: Siddaramaiah

Siddaramaiah took to the social media platform X to share his shock regarding his wife’s decision. He stated that Parvathi had endured significant suffering due to a "political conspiracy" directed against him. He expressed regret for involving her in the political controversy and acknowledged the mental harassment she faced as a result of this "political vendetta."

"My wife, Parvati, has returned the plots of land that were taken without compensation from the land acquired by the MUDA in Mysore. It is well known to the people of the state that opposition parties have fabricated false allegations against me to achieve political vendetta and have dragged my family into controversy," Siddaramaiah said. He further emphasized his commitment to fighting against what he views as injustice.

Earlier on September 27, the Lokayukta Police filed an FIR against Siddaramaiah and others regarding the alleged MUDA land allotment scam. This FIR was lodged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 351, 420, 340, 409, and 120B. The Mysuru Lokayukta initiated this investigation following a directive from a Special Court in Bengaluru to look into the allegations of illegalities in the allotment of the 14 sites, valued at Rs 56 crore, to Parvathi.

As of Tuesday, the Mysuru Lokayukta has officially commenced its inquiry and investigation into the case linked to the MUDA land allotment scam.