Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah now finds himself entangled in a major legal and political battle, as the Mysuru Lokayukta has filed a case against him in connection with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam. This case, which could have serious ramifications for the senior Congress leader’s political career, alleges large-scale irregularities amounting to Rs 4,000 crore in the allocation of prime properties. Siddaramaiah's wife, Parvathi, is also named in the FIR, alongside his brother-in-law Mallikarjun Swamy and Devaraj, the person from whom the land in question was purchased.
The core of the allegation involves a compensatory land deal facilitated by MUDA, which allegedly benefited Parvathi Siddaramaiah. According to the complaint, Parvathi was allocated valuable plots in a prime area of Mysuru in exchange for land she owned in Kasare village, Mysuru. However, it is alleged that she did not have a legal title to the land offered for this exchange. Under MUDA’s 50:50 compensation scheme, her allocation of high-value plots has drawn accusations of illegality and misuse of power, fueling the opposition’s criticism of the Chief Minister.
The case was registered following a special court order directing the Lokayukta police to probe the matter after the complaint was lodged by RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna. In August, Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot gave his sanction for prosecuting Siddaramaiah, a move that was subsequently upheld by the Karnataka High Court. This legal approval paved the way for the registration of the FIR and the ongoing investigation. The complaint accuses Siddaramaiah of using his position to secure favorable land deals for his family, a charge that his political opponents, especially the BJP, have seized upon to demand his resignation.
Responding to the accusations, Siddaramaiah has categorically denied any wrongdoing and has insisted that the land deal was conducted as per legal norms. Speaking to the media, he lashed out at the opposition, stating that the case was politically motivated and aimed at tarnishing his image. He emphasized that this was the first time such a case had been registered against him, reiterating that it was a "political case" and nothing more than an attempt to destabilize him.
Siddaramaiah also accused the central government of misusing investigative agencies like the CBI and ED to target opposition leaders in non-BJP-ruled states. He stated that the current case against him is part of a broader pattern of harassment by central agencies, which have been allegedly used to undermine political opponents.
The BJP, on the other hand, has used the case to mount pressure on Siddaramaiah, demanding his immediate resignation, claiming that his involvement in such a massive scam has compromised his ability to govern the state ethically. Several BJP leaders have accused Siddaramaiah of betraying the trust of the public by indulging in corrupt practices for personal gain.
As the investigation unfolds, it is expected to intensify political tensions in Karnataka. The case also comes at a critical juncture for Siddaramaiah, who has been a key player in Congress's resurgence in the state after the party’s victory in the 2023 assembly elections. While he has vowed to fight the charges legally and politically, the case threatens to cast a long shadow over his leadership and the Congress government in Karnataka. Furthermore, with elections looming in the coming years, this legal entanglement could become a significant issue in the state's political landscape, affecting not only Siddaramaiah’s standing but also the overall prospects of the Congress party in Karnataka.Â
The case also raises broader questions about political accountability and the misuse of power, especially concerning land deals and urban development authorities, which have often been mired in controversies. With the Mysuru Lokayukta now involved in investigating the case, it remains to be seen how this will impact Siddaramaiah’s political future and whether any concrete evidence will emerge to substantiate the serious allegations against him and his family.
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