Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah is surrounded by corruption allegations and now Governor Thawarchand Gehlot has permitted a case against him. The matter concerns a 3.14-acre plot of land registered in his wife Parvathi's name. The BJP has aggressively targeted the Chief Minister and his government, demanding his resignation over allegations of corruption.
Siddaramaiah has dismissed all these allegations, describing the Governor's decision as unconstitutional. He stated that he would legally challenge this decision, asserting that the Governor is attempting to remove his government.
But what is this land dispute? What is MUDA, and how is it involved? Moreover, how did these corruption allegations reach CM Siddaramaiah? Let's take a closer look at these essential questions.
What is MUDA?
The Mysore Urban Development Authority, or MUDA, is an autonomous body responsible for the development activities in the city of Mysore. It handles land acquisition and allocation, and is thus entwined in the land scam. This issue dates back to 2004, involving the allocation of land parcels as compensation by MUDA during Siddaramaiah's tenure as CM. Social activists allege irregularities in this process, resulting in significant financial losses to the state treasury. Senior officials from MUDA and the Revenue Department are also implicated.
What is the Issue?
In 1992, MUDA acquired some land from farmers to develop residential areas. Initially separated from agricultural land, a portion of the acquired land was returned to the farmers in 1998, reverting to its agricultural status. Everything was fine until 2004 when Parvathi's brother B M Mallikarjun purchased 3.16 acres of this land during Siddaramaiah's tenure as Deputy CM in the Congress-JDS coalition government. It was subsequently reclassified from agricultural to residential status. By the time Siddaramaiah’s family attempted to claim the land, a layout had already been developed.
What is CM Siddaramaiah's Claim?
CM Siddaramaiah asserts that Parvathi was compensated for the land, which was a gift from her brother Mallikarjun in 1998. However, RTI activist Krishna alleges that Mallikarjun acquired the land illegally in 2004, using forged documents with the help of government officials. Though shown as purchased in 1998, Parvathi sought compensation in 2014 when Siddaramaiah was CM.
Siddaramaiah also claims that the compensation was awarded during a BJP government, arguing it was their right. He questions how BJP, which provided the site, can now declare it illegal.
When Did the Issue Emerge?
The irregularities in MUDA came to light in early July this year. On July 1, IAS officer Venkatachalapati R issued an investigation order due to suspicions about MUDA's land allocations favoring influential individuals over eligible beneficiaries. Following the scandal, Karnataka opposition leader R. Ashok accused that CM Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi also benefited unlawfully from a site allocation.
How is MUDA Involved?
MUDA introduced the 50:50 scheme to compensate those losing land during urban development. The scheme, offering 50% developed land to land losers, was initially implemented in 2009 and discontinued in 2020 by the then BJP government. Yet, MUDA continued to acquire and allocate land under this scheme, thereby benefiting Parvathi.
Accusations
It is alleged that 3.16 acres of land belonging to CM Siddaramaiah's wife was acquired by MUDA, resulting in the allocation of 14 plots in an expensive area. This land, located in Kesare on Mysore's outskirts, was gifted to Parvathi by her brother Mallikarjun in 2010. The allegations suggest the land in Devanur's third phase was developed by MUDA without acquisition.
Parvathi applied for compensation, leading MUDA to allocate 14 plots in Vijayanagar Phases III and IV, totaling 38,284 sq. ft. Allegations of irregularities in these allocations have been vocalized by the opposition.
Source: aajtak
Who Made the Allegations?
This entire matter was raised by activists Pradeep Kumar, TJ Abraham, and Snehamayi Krishna. They petitioned Governor Thawarchand Gehlot to take action against the Chief Minister. Anti-corruption activist Abraham alleged significant financial losses to the state due to this scam and requested legal action.
In July, they lodged a complaint with the Lokayukta police, alleging illegal site allocations in a posh Mysore area to Siddaramaiah’s wife BM Parvathi. The complaint included Siddaramaiah, his wife, son S. Yathindra, and senior MUDA officials. Activist Snehamayi Krishna also accused Siddaramaiah, his wife, and MUDA officials of collusion in this land scam.
