Bengaluru, Jul 25: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday termed the alleged scam in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority a "non-issue" and charged the opposition BJP and JD(S) with trying to target him personally and tarnish his image.
“You are making an issue out of a non-issue intentionally and you are making a personal target,” Siddaramaiah said in the Karnataka Legislative Council, hitting out at members of the opposition, who have demanded a discussion on the alleged fraudulent allotment of sites to land losers by MUDA, including to his wife Parvathi.
“No illegalities have happened. Everything happened as per law. I strongly condemn you for targeting me personally. Your objective is to tarnish my image,” the Chief Minister said.
It is alleged that alternative sites were allotted to Siddaramaiah's wife in an upmarket area in Mysuru, which had higher property value as compared to the location of her land which had been "acquired" by the MUDA.
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Several supporters of Siddaramaiah too have allegedly "benefitted this way," BJP leaders alleged.
The MUDA had allotted plots to Parvathi under a 50:50 ratio scheme in lieu of 3.16 acres of her land, where MUDA developed a residential layout.
The controversial scheme envisages allotting 50 per cent of developed land to the land loser in lieu of undeveloped land acquired for forming layouts.
The Chief Minister said the alternative sites were allotted in 2021 when the BJP was in power.
“For the fault of yours, MUDA gave me the site. There is no scope for discussion on this topic,” he said as the BJP and JD(S) MLCs trooped into the well of the House and raised slogans.
Siddaramaiah said the MUDA illegally took the land belonging to his wife and formed a layout without her permission and sold it to people.
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Bengaluru, Nov 26: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said those against the Constitution are speaking of changing it, while he and his party are fighting to safeguard it.
He was speaking on the sidelines of an event to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution.
"Those who are against the Constitution, they are telling it (about changing the Constitution). Recently Swamiji of the Pejawar Math in Udupi had also spoken about the need for amending the Constitution. I don't know...we are fighting to ensure that the Constitution should not be changed," Siddaramiah said in response to a question.
Addressing reporters here, he said, "About 106 amendments have been made to the Constitution so far. We are celebrating 75 years (of adopting the constitution). Probably India's is the longest (written) Constitution in the whole world."
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Noting that it has been 75 years since the country adopted its Constitution, the CM said whether it is central or the state government or the local bodies, they have to function in accordance with the Constitution and uphold its principles.
Pointing out that his government has made it compulsory for students to read the preamble of the Constitution at schools and colleges, he said, "Every child should understand the preamble of the Constitution, its principles, and should function according to it. Everyone should be aware of the rights and duties that have been provided under the Constitution. So we observe the constitution day. It is a pious day."