Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is facing significant political pressure as Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has sanctioned his prosecution over alleged irregularities in site allotments by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). The allegations center around compensatory land parcels allotted to Siddaramaiah’s wife, BM Parvathi, during his previous term as Chief Minister. The BJP has been aggressively campaigning against Siddaramaiah, demanding his resignation over the alleged land scam.
The MUDA Land Scam Allegations
The controversy stems from claims that compensatory land parcels were irregularly allotted to Siddaramaiah’s wife, causing substantial financial losses to the state. Activists Pradeep Kumar, TJ Abraham, and Snehamayi Krishna, have accused the Chief Minister, his wife, and top MUDA and revenue department officials of orchestrating a multi-crore scam.
TJ Abraham’s Allegations: Abraham, an anti-corruption activist, lodged a petition with the Governor, alleging that the scam resulted in a Rs 45 crore loss to the state exchequer. He also filed a complaint with the Lokayukta police in July, naming Siddaramaiah, his wife, and other senior officials as involved parties.
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Snehamayi Krishna’s Claims: Krishna further alleged that the land for which BM Parvathi received compensation was procured illegally in 2004 by her brother Mallikarjuna. The land was allegedly registered using forged documents, despite claims that it had been purchased in 1998. Compensation for this land was sought in 2014 when Siddaramaiah was the Chief Minister.
When was MUDA scheme implemented
The Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scheme was initially implemented in 2009 with the aim of allocating residential sites to citizens. However, it was discontinued by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) administration in 2020. Despite the discontinuation, MUDA allegedly continued to implement the scheme without proper authorization, distributing plots even after government orders in 2023 instructed MUDA to halt the allotment of sites under the 50:50 scheme until further instructions were provided.
Siddaramaiah’s Defense
Siddaramaiah has categorically denied the allegations, labeling them as “politically motivated.” He defended his wife’s right to compensation, noting that the land was awarded when the BJP was in power. Siddaramaiah has questioned the timing and motivations behind the accusations, suggesting they are part of a broader political strategy against him.
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Governor Gehlot’s decision to sanction Siddaramaiah’s prosecution is based on the petitions from the activists. Last month, the Governor issued a “show-cause notice” to Siddaramaiah, asking him to justify why he shouldn’t be prosecuted. In response, the Karnataka government accused the Governor of “gross misuse of the Constitutional Office” and advised him to withdraw the notice.
The BJP has welcomed the Governor’s decision, viewing it as a step towards accountability. In contrast, the Congress has condemned the move, calling it a “politically motivated conspiracy” aimed at discrediting the Chief Minister and destabilizing the government.
This development adds significant pressure on Siddaramaiah and his administration, as they navigate both legal challenges and an increasingly hostile political environment.
