MUDA 'scam': Yaduveer Wadiyar demands Siddaramaiah's resignation on moral grounds

Mysuru: Member of the erstwhile royal family and Mysore-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja (YKC) Wadiyar, on Saturday, demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on moral grounds, following the statement of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday, that it has attached 142 immovable properties worth Rs 300 crore over ‘irregularities’ in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) sites allotment case.

Lokayukta case

The ED is investigating the case based on an FIR filed by Karnataka Lokayukta, in Mysuru, in an alleged scam in MUDA, in which Siddaramaiah is the prime accused. The case is related to the allotment of 14 sites as compensation to Siddaramaiah’s wife B M Parvathi on a 50:50 ratio on an alternative developed land, in lieu of Parvathi’s land that was developed by MUDA earlier.

Speaking to media persons, in Mysuru, on Saturday, YKC Wadiyar said, the CM should resign as it has been proved that there has been a scam in the MUDA.

“We had demanded the CM’s resignation, immediately after the scam came to light. But, he had said that it should be investigated. Now, that the ED has conducted an investigation and has released a statement, confirming the irregularities. Siddaramaiah should resign and facilitate an impartial investigation. After the investigation, if it is proved that he is innocent, he can assume office again,” Wadiyar said.

BJP to fight for CM's resignation

He said, “The BJP will resume its fight for the CM's resignation, as this is the first step towards cleaning up MUDA. It will take another two years for the MUDA to be completely clean”.

The case was filed by Lokayukta on September 27, 2024, following a direction of the a special court in Bengaluru for cases involving elected representatives on September 25, 2024, based on a complaint by RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna.

What is the case?

As per the complaint of Krishna, Devaraju sold the land to B M Mallikarjuna Swamy on August 25, 2004. It was converted from agricultural land to non-agriculture land. On October 6, 2010, Swamy gifted the land to his sister, Parvathi. She submitted representations to MUDA, from 2014, seeking compensation for the said land acquired by MUDA. On December 12, 2021, the then MUDA Commissioner D B Natesh allotted 14 sites on an alternative developed area on a 50:50 ratio. In the wake of the Lokayukta and ED cases and subsequent developments, Parvathi returned all the 14 sites to MUDA on October 3.

On Simha

In reply to a question, regarding a petition for the expulsion of former MP Pratap Simha, by BJP workers, Wadiyar said, “It looks like the recent actions of the former MP may have caused dissatisfaction among the workers. Over the past three months, his statements and a few incidents might have upset the workers. Hence, they have submitted a petition”.

He said, “The party leaders will decide on the letter. But, personally, I do not want anyone to leave the party. As an opposition party in Karnataka, we must stay united and fight together. Internal conflicts and dissidence should not occur. We should correct everything and move forward”.

Bengaluru Palace

Replying to a question on the Bengaluru Palace issue, Wadiyar said, “There has been a legal conflict, between the Palace and the Karnataka government since many years. My entry into politics did not escalate it”.

He said, “The struggle began when Siddaramaiah became deputy chief minister for the first time, decades ago. There is no surprise in the government targeting the Palace. We have always been targeted. We will face everything legally”.