K Mari Gowda, the head of the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), has resigned following directives from Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. This comes amid an ongoing investigation into a land scam involving Gowda, his wife, and family members.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Gowda emphasized that his resignation was voluntary, citing health concerns rather than external pressure.
“I have resigned following the Chief Minister’s direction. My health is genuinely not good, and there is a judicial inquiry that will continue,” Gowda told reporters. He clarified that his long-standing association with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, spanning over four decades, did not involve any illegal activity.
The MUDA land scam centers around accusations against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, specifically regarding 14 plots of land in the affluent Mysuru area of Vijayanagar that were allegedly transferred to his wife, BN Parvathi.
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Anti-corruption activists claim this transfer caused a Rs 45 crore loss to the state. The plots were recently returned by Parvathi, but the investigation remains ongoing.
Siddaramaiah has faced intense scrutiny from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular), with demands for his resignation and a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the matter. Despite the allegations, Siddaramaiah has maintained his innocence, asserting that the accusations are politically motivated and that he is prepared to face legal battles.
The Karnataka High Court recently upheld the Governor’s sanction to prosecute Siddaramaiah, paving the way for the Lokayukta and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to proceed with their investigations.
