Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar Defends Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in MUDA Scam Allegations

Bengaluru (Karnataka), August 1: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced that the Cabinet has decided to advise Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot to withdraw the show cause notice issued to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah regarding the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam.

Cabinet Meeting Details

During a media briefing at Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar stated, “The Cabinet discussed the issue of the show cause notice to the Chief Minister by the Governor. The Cabinet has unanimously resolved to advise the Governor to withdraw the notice.”

He emphasized that there is no investigation or evidence suggesting the Chief Minister’s involvement in the MUDA irregularities. Shivakumar called the accusations a conspiracy to undermine a democratically elected leader.

Background of the Petitioner

Shivakumar pointed out that the petitioner, TJ Abraham, has a history of filing complaints against various leaders and has even been fined by the Supreme Court. He accused the Governor of trying to destabilize the government based on Abraham’s petition.

Governor’s Actions

Shivakumar explained that the Governor sought a report from the Chief Secretary on July 15 and requested a judicial inquiry into the alleged irregularities. Despite the Chief Secretary’s report, the Governor issued a show cause notice on July 26 without considering the report.

Details of the Land Issue

Shivakumar clarified that the Chief Minister’s brother-in-law purchased the land five years after de-notification and gifted it to his sister. MUDA used the land without re-notifying it, leading to a compensation request from the Chief Minister’s wife, Parvathamma. The compensation decision was made during the BJP rule, and Shivakumar argued that Parvathamma has every right to seek compensation.

Political Implications

Shivakumar questioned why the BJP did not address the issue when it first appeared in the media two years ago. He accused the BJP of trying to remove a sitting Chief Minister and destabilize the government.

Future Actions

Shivakumar expressed confidence that the Governor would consider the Cabinet’s advice and withdraw the notice. He also mentioned that senior leaders are aware of the situation and that there is no irregularity involved.

Compensation Rights

When asked about potential partisan treatment, Shivakumar defended Parvathamma’s right to compensation, stating that she should not lose her rights because she is the Chief Minister’s wife.