CM accuses opposition of trying to target him personally, tarnish his image over MUDA ''scam''
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.
ALSO READ: Will release list of MUDA sites illegally allotted during BJP tenure: D K Shivakumar
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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Shivakumar opposes ‘One Nation One Election’, calls it ‘unworkable’
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday strongly opposed the central government’s proposed ‘One Nation One Election’ initiative.
Shivakumar expressed his views at a dialogue on ‘One Nation One Election’ organised by the Joint Parliamentary Study Committee.
He said the plan is a politically motivated, power-centralising scheme that would seriously damage India’s federal structure by weakening states and poses a threat to the democratic system, according to a statement from his office.
As KPCC president and deputy CM of Karnataka, he categorically rejected the proposal, stating that it is being crafted to suit the convenience of those in power at the Centre.
Shivakumar said that the Karnataka Legislative Assembly had already passed a resolution opposing ‘One Nation One Election’ and read out the resolution at the meeting.
He firmly stated that it is “not a workable plan” and added that it is “practically impossible.”
“If a government falls midterm due to political instability, a no-confidence motion, or loss of majority, what is the solution?” he asked.
“Elections are held at different times in different states for different terms. Karnataka had its election in 2023, while Tamil Nadu and Kerala had theirs in 2021, and Punjab and Telangana in 2022 and 2023, respectively. How can these elections with varying schedules be synchronised?” he asked.
He added that the proposal is a ploy to suppress the voices of regional and Opposition parties.
He also said the Karnataka government does not agree with the proposal and remains committed to the position of the Congress party’s national leadership.
