Karnataka Land Scam: MUDA Chief Resigns Amid Ongoing Investigation Involving CM Siddaramaiah
Mari Gowda resigned as Mysuru Urban Development Chief amid a land scam investigation involving Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and family
MUDA chief Mari Gowda resigned, citing health concerns, amid a land scam investigation involving Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and his family
Mari Gowda, the chief of the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), resigned on Wednesday, citing health reasons. His resignation comes amid an ongoing investigation into land scam allegations involving Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his wife BN Parvathi, and other family members.
Gowda, a long-time associate of Siddaramaiah, has worked with him since 1983. Over the years, he held several positions, including President of the Mysuru Taluk Panchayat in 1995 and Vice President of the Zilla Panchayat in 2000, before being promoted to the top post in MUDA eight years ago. Siddaramaiah has yet to respond to Gowda’s resignation.
The Chief Minister is currently undaer investigation by the Mysuru branch of the Lokayukta, the state’s anti-corruption body, and the Enforcement Directorate (ED),. The allegations revolve around 14 plots of land in Mysuru’s Vijayanagar area that were allocated to his wife as compensation for lower-value land taken for infrastructure projects. Siddaramaiah claimed the plots were a gift from his wife’s brother.
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Activists argue this allotment caused a ₹45 crore loss to the state. Earlier this month, MUDA agreed to reclaim the 14 plots from BN Parvathi, stating that this decision would not affect the ongoing investigations against Siddaramaiah. In response, BN Parvathi wrote to MUDA, explaining she had initially planned to return the plots but was advised against it due to the politically motivated nature of the accusations.
Shortly after, Siddaramaiah defended his wife, saying she was a victim of the politics of hatred and had suffered psychological torture. He added, I respect her decision.
The controversy gained traction when the Karnataka High Court upheld Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot’s order allowing the prosecution of Siddaramaiah. Following this, a trial court filed charges, prompting the Lokayukta and ED to begin their investigations.
The Chief Minister has faced heavy criticism from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ally, the Janata Dal Secular (JDS). They have demanded his resignation and called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. However, the CBI would require permission from the state government, which withdrew general consent for the federal agency.
Despite the political pressure and criticism from within his own party, Siddaramaiah has refused to step down. I am not afraid of anything. We are ready to face the investigation. I will fight this legally, he said after the High Court dismissed his challenge to the prosecution order.
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