BJP, JD(S) hold all-night dharna in Karnataka Legislature over MUDA 'scam'
Bengaluru (PTI): The opposition BJP and JD(S) held an all-night dharna in both Houses of the Karnataka Legislature demanding a discussion on the alleged fraudulent allotment of sites to land losers by Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), which involves plots given to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife.
The BJP and JD(S) legislators spent the night in the Assembly and Council.
As part of the protest, they held demonstrations holding placards, and raised slogans -- in the form of "bhajans" -- against the Congress government, Siddaramaiah and Speaker U T Khader for not allowing a discussion.
The legislators including Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka, and BJP state President and MLA B Y Vijayendra later slept in the Assembly premises.
Similar scenes were seen at the Legislative Council too.
The opposition parties said they would continue their protest on the issue in both the Houses on Thursday too.
Claiming that the needle of suspicion in the MUDA "scam" is pointing towards the family of the "most important person" of the state, the opposition on Wednesday demanded that the discussion be allowed on the issue.
They also alleged a political motive behind formation of the inquiry commission to probe the alleged irregularities, and said it was aimed at denying the House an opportunity to debate the issue.
However, their plans to corner CM Siddaramaiah and his government with a discussion under adjournment motion in both Houses suffered a setback with Assembly Speaker Khader and Council Chairperson Basavaraj Horatti rejecting their notice, citing rules.
In protest, the BJP, joined by its alliance partner JD (S), announced that they would stage "day-and-night" dharna in the Legislative Assembly and Council demanding a discussion on the issue.
It is alleged that compensatory sites were allotted to Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi 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.
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.
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India’s Ambassador to US Vinay Kwatra hosts key American lawmakers
New York/Washington (PTI): India’s Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra hosted key American lawmakers as he welcomed the consistent, bipartisan support in the US Congress for the deepening partnership between Washington and New Delhi.
This is Kwatra's second such meeting with top US lawmakers in as many months amid ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement.
“A special evening at India House. Had the pleasure of hosting 12 Hon’ble Members of the US House of Representatives,” Kwatra said in a post on X Thursday.
India House is the Ambassador's official residence in Washington.
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Kwatra said he welcomed the “consistent, bipartisan support in the US Congress for the deepening India-US partnership—spanning wide-ranging conversations on trade and economic ties, cutting-edge technology and innovation, robust defence cooperation, and crucial counterterrorism efforts.”
The Indian envoy added that India's strong economic growth—projected over 7 per cent in the coming years “further strengthens this shared vision for prosperity and security.”
Kwatra welcomed Congresswoman Deborah Ross and Rep Rob Wittman, who are the co-chairs of the Congressional Study Group on India, an initiative to augment India’s engagement with the US House of Representatives and Senate and is supported by the Association of Former Members of Congress and Roundglass Foundation.
He expressed gratitude for the presence of Representatives Jim Costa, Bill Huizenga, Ami Bera, and Donald Norcross and “appreciated their perspectives on various aspects of the bilateral relationship.”
He also welcomed the support of Representatives Ron Estes, Chrissy Houlahan and Jay Obernolte and appreciated their guidance for strengthening the bilateral partnership.
“Valued the constructive exchanges on key pillars of bilateral cooperation with the new members of the 119th Congress” Congressman Nathaniel Moran, Congresswoman Julie Johnson and Congressman Jefferson Shreve, he said. Six rounds of negotiations have been held so far between India and the US for the bilateral trade agreement. The pact includes a framework deal to resolve the 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods entering the US.
Earlier on December 1, Kwatra held “fruitful conversations” with a group of influential American lawmakers on strengthening bilateral cooperation in energy, defence, and trade.
He had then hosted US Senators Lindsey Graham, Richard Blumenthal, Sheldon Whitehouse, Peter Welch, Dan Sullivan, and Markwayne Mullin at India House.
Kwatra has been regularly meeting US lawmakers to discuss various bilateral issues.
