On Sunday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that he would neither resign nor bend his ways for anyone as long as he had people’s support, amid the Opposition’s calls for his resignation following a case was registered against him in an alleged scam linked to the land allocation by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
A case has been registered against Siddaramaiah by the state anti-corruption body registered A in connection with the MUDA land scam on September 27, following the Karnataka High Court’s order directing the Lokayukta police to investigate the allegations that his wife was allocated premium properties by the MUDA in violation of norms.
After inaugurating several developmental projects, Siddaramaiah while addressing an event in Mysuru said, ‘I will not resign or bend for anyone. Mahatma Gandhi had said that there are courts and then there is conscience, which is above all courts. Conscience is the apex court. My conscience is clear, and as long as I have the people’s support, I will not be shaken’.
He further added that he won’t be scared by the political challenges. Siddaramaiah further added that he had confidence in his ability to face and overcome any hurdles, both legally and politically. The Mysuru development body allegedly acquired a parcel of land owned by Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, and compensated her with higher-value plots. The BJP-led opposition and activists have accused Siddaramaiah and Parvathi of benefiting from this illegal compensatory land deal, estimating the alleged irregularities to be worth Rs 4,000 crore.
Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot granted permission in August to prosecute the Chief Minister. Earlier this month, the Karnataka High Court upheld the Governor’s sanction. Subsequently, the Special Court for criminal cases involving former and current MPs/MLAs directed the Lokayukta police in Mysuru to probe a complaint filed by RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna.
The complaint accuses Siddaramaiah’s wife of being allotted compensatory plots in a prime Mysuru area with higher property values compared to her land acquired by the MUDA. Under MUDA’s 50:50 ratio scheme, Parvathi was allocated plots in exchange for 3.16 acres of land. However, it’s also alleged that she had no legal title to the 3.16 acres in Kasare village in Mysuru
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