Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao criticized the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) involvement in the alleged MUDA scam involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, arguing that no monetary transactions occurred in the case. He questioned the ED’s jurisdiction, stating, “What role does the ED have in the MUDA case, where no monetary transactions have occurred? The ED’s mandate is to investigate financial irregularities, yet in this case, no exchange of funds has taken place.”
Gundu Rao took to social media to express his views, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular) of engaging in a political conspiracy against Siddaramaiah. “Two things are clear: BJP and JD(S) are trying to orchestrate a political conspiracy against Siddaramaiah. They are desperate to silence a leader who champions backward communities,” he asserted.
Warning Against Political Vendettas
The Health Minister warned that targeting Siddaramaiah could have severe consequences, emphasizing that political vendettas should not cross a line. “If Siddaramaiah is unjustly targeted, the consequences could be beyond anyone’s imagination. It is high time the BJP and Janata Dal (S) recognize that undermining Siddaramaiah’s political image not only targets a respected leader but also disrespects the communities he represents,” Rao added.
Siddaramaiah Defends Himself, Draws Distinction from Yeddyurappa’s Case
CM Siddaramaiah addressed the allegations against him, affirming that he would not resign and stating that his case differs from that of former Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa. “BS Yeddyurappa’s case and mine are different. He did denotification of land, and I am not involved in it. I will not give my resignation as a self-witness. Whether ED or anything else, I will fight it out legally,” Siddaramaiah stated.
He further clarified that the land in question was gifted to his wife by her brother, and the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) had encroached on it. Siddaramaiah’s wife offered to surrender the 14 plots allotted to her, following allegations of irregularities.
The Mysuru Lokayukta initiated an inquiry into the MUDA land allotment scam, following a court order on September 27 to investigate allegations that 14 sites worth Rs 56 crore were illegally allotted to Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Law Minister HK Patil criticized the ED’s case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Siddaramaiah, calling it “one of the greatest blunders” by the agency.
BJP’s Response to Site Return Complicating Situation
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai stated that Siddaramaiah’s decision to return the MUDA site had complicated matters further. “By returning the site, they have made the issue more complicated,” Bommai said, arguing that the situation could have been resolved had an investigation been conducted through High Court judges earlier.
As investigations continue, the Karnataka government faces increasing scrutiny over the MUDA land allotment controversy, with political tensions rising between ruling and opposition parties.