Siddaramaiah: I Won’t Resign Amidst Scandal

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that he would not be “scared or intimidated” by political challenges, amid opposition calls for his resignation. He asserted that as long as he had “people’s support,” he would not step down. This statement came while inaugurating several developmental projects in Mysuru, where he reviewed allegations related to the MUDA land scam.

The state anti-corruption body registered a case against Siddaramaiah on September 27, following a Karnataka High Court directive to investigate allegations regarding land allocation by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). It was claimed that his wife was allocated premium properties by MUDA in violation of established norms.

Siddaramaiah stated, “I will neither resign nor bend for anyone. Mahatma Gandhi said that there are courts and then there is conscience, which is above all courts. My conscience is clear, and as long as I have the people’s support, I will not be shaken.”

He emphasized that he wouldn’t be “scared or intimidated” by political challenges, expressing confidence in his ability to face and overcome any hurdles, even if his opponents attempted to create trouble.

The Mysuru development body allegedly acquired land owned by Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, compensating her with higher-value plots. The BJP-led opposition and several activists have accused Siddaramaiah and Parvathi of benefiting from this “illegal” land deal, estimating the alleged irregularities to be worth approximately ₹4,000 crore.

In August, Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot granted permission to prosecute the Chief Minister. Earlier this month, the Karnataka High Court upheld the Governor’s sanction.

Subsequently, the Special Court directed the Lokayukta police in Mysuru to investigate a complaint filed by RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna.

The complaint alleges that Siddaramaiah’s wife was allotted compensatory plots in a prime Mysuru area, which had higher property values compared to the land acquired by MUDA. Under MUDA’s 50:50 ratio scheme, Parvathi was allocated plots in exchange for 3.16 acres of land. However, it is also claimed that she had no legal title to the 3.16 acres in Kasare village, Mysuru.

Despite these allegations, Siddaramaiah has rejected them, claiming that the land deal was executed according to mandates and that there were no irregularities.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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