Bengaluru. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday questioned the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filing a case against him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and ruled out any possibility of him resigning once again over the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case. Rejected. Siddaramaiah’s wife Parvati B. After M.’s decision to give up the ownership and possession of 14 plots allotted to him from MUDA, the Chief Minister said that Parvati has become a victim of ‘politics of hate’ against him and he is shocked by his wife’s move.
The Chief Minister said that Parvati was confined to her family, but due to the politics of hatred she faced “mental torture”. Meanwhile, a team of Lokayukta police probing the MUDA plot allotment case today surveyed the land against which 14 plots were “illegally” allotted to Siddaramaiah’s wife Parvati. Official sources said that during the land survey, special land acquisition officer, surveyor and town planning member of MUDA were also with the Lokayukta team.
Sources said that social activist Snehamoyi Krishna was also present during the survey, on whose complaint the Lokayukta police has registered an FIR against Siddaramaiah, his wife and two others. Following the notice issued by the investigating officers, Krishna appeared before the Lokayukta police here today. On Monday, hours after the ED registered a case against Siddaramaiah, Parvati wrote to MUDA offering to give up ownership and possession of 14 plots and saying that any plot, house, property and money belonging to her would be for the sake of her husband’s honour, There is nothing greater than dignity, prestige and mental peace.
Siddaramaiah told reporters here, “I don’t know on what basis this is a case of money laundering. Probably you too would feel the same. According to me, this does not constitute a case of money laundering, because the plot was given in exchange for the land taken, so how is this a case of money laundering?” On Monday, the ED had registered a case against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over alleged irregularities in the allotment of 14 plots by MUDA to his wife. ED has registered a case against the Chief Minister and others under relevant sections of PMLA.
At the same time, the letter related to Parvati’s decision to give up the ownership and possession of 14 plots was today personally handed over to MUDA Commissioner A.N. by her son and Legislative Council member Yatindra Siddaramaiah. Assigned to Raghunandan’s office. A MUDA official said, “Any further action will be taken based on the legal provisions on the letter received.” Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said Parvati was confined to her family, but she faced “mental torture” due to the politics of hate.
In a post made online, he said, “My stance was to fight without succumbing to this injustice, but my wife, fed up with the political conspiracy going on against me, has decided to return this land, which surprises even me. ” Siddaramaiah said, “My wife never interfered in my political career of four decades and remained limited to her family, but today she has become a victim of hate politics against me and is suffering mental torture. I am sad. “However, I respect my wife’s decision to return the land.” The Chief Minister also ruled out the possibility of his resignation over the MUDA issue. He said, “I work as per my conscience, there is no need to resign.”
On the BJP’s contention that Siddaramaiah’s wife’s offer to return the plot was tantamount to an admission of wrongdoing in the case, the Chief Minister said, “When someone decides to leave something saying he does not want controversy, it is a crime.” Or how can there be a confession? “Opposition party leaders are ‘Vishwaguru’ in telling lies.” Siddaramaiah said, “Will the matter be closed after my resignation? They are unnecessarily demanding my resignation. Why should I resign when I have done no wrong?” Earlier in the day, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Karnataka unit chief B.Y. Vijayendra said the decision of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife Parvati to give up ownership and possession of 14 plots amounts to an official admission of wrongdoing in the MUDA ‘scam’ and the Chief Minister should immediately resign in this matter.
Vijayendra termed Parvati’s move as a “political drama” and alleged that it was aimed at “avoiding legal hassles”. He said that Siddaramaiah should resign from the post of Chief Minister. Vijayendra said that when Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot had approved the investigation on the basis of personal complaints against the Chief Minister, the Congress President, ministers and leaders had alleged that his decision was politically motivated and that he was a puppet in the hands of the Central Government. Working like that. He said that before resigning from the post of Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah should apologize to the Governor.
He urged the Home Minister and the Director General of Police to immediately ensure adequate police protection to social activist Snemayee Krishna on whose complaint the Lokayukta police had registered an FIR against Siddaramaiah, his wife and two others. He claimed that there are reports of a “conspiracy” against Krishna.
At the same time, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara alleged “political motives” behind the ED case against the Chief Minister. He also cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi raising the MUDA issue during a recent election rally in poll-bound Haryana. “Let’s wait and see what happens legally when his (Siddaramaiah) wife returns the plot to MUDA,” Parameshwara said.