Opposition raking up 20-yr-old issue for political gains: Raichur MP G Kumar Naik

Raichur: Aiming the BJP and JD(S) for allegedly raking up a 20-year-old issue to target Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Raichur Congress MP G Kumar Naik on Wednesday said, “In 2004, the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) awarded sites to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife in compensation for acquiring land. It was done following the rules. Now, this issue is being dredged up for political gains by the Opposition parties.”

Naik, who was the Mysuru Deputy Commissioner when the sites were transferred to the CM’s wife Parvathi, said that he found it absurd that Opposition parties were trying to make an issue out of a routine administrative exercise.

"There is no issue here. MUDA has acquired land through denotification as well, and developed layouts,” the MP said.

Pointing out that rules concerning denotification ought not to be treated as the 'word of God', Naik added, “The government has the authority to throw out these rules anytime. Farmers receive compensation that is commensurate with the value of the land that they are parting with. This is the practice followed not only in Karnataka but in several states of India.”

Naik said that he was yet to receive a copy of the Lokayukta’s report on the MUDA site allotment scam. “Once I read the document, I will consult legal experts before offering my views on the subject,” he added.

Lashing out at Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R Ashoka, who has demanded his resignation, Naik said, “I have been elected by the people of Raichur and I have never betrayed them. So, the question of tendering resignation to my MP’s post does not arise.”