In the midst of an investigation involving Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah related to the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment case, MUDA Chairperson K. Marigowda resigned on Wednesday, citing health concerns.
Health Issues Prompt Resignation
Marigowda, who has close ties to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, announced his resignation due to health reasons. Last month, he was hospitalized after experiencing severe discomfort and showed signs of exhaustion and distress while traveling to Bengaluru by car. Initially treated in Bengaluru, he was later moved to Mysuru for specialized care.
Political Pressure on Siddaramaiah
Both Siddaramaiah and Marigowda have faced criticism from the BJP and other opposition parties following allegations surrounding the MUDA site allotment case. The BJP has called for Siddaramaiah’s resignation after the Karnataka High Court rejected his petition challenging the legality of the Governor’s decision to prosecute him for alleged irregularities in the MUDA scheme.
Allegations Against Siddaramaiah
The case against the Chief Minister involves accusations that compensatory plots were allocated to his wife, BM Parvathi, in a prime area of Mysuru that has a significantly higher property value compared to the land acquired by MUDA. MUDA had allotted these plots to Parvathi under a 50:50 ratio scheme in exchange for 3.16 acres of her land, which MUDA subsequently developed into a residential layout. Activists have alleged that the property value of the plot given to Parvathi is much higher than that of the land that was taken by MUDA.