ED summons CM Siddaramaiah’s spouse in MUDA controversy, says Karnataka BJP
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Synopsis
Karnataka BJP state leader B.Y. Vijayendra criticized the ED's notice to CM Siddaramaiah's wife regarding the MUDA scam, identifying it as a significant setback for the Chief Minister. The BJP emphasizes the gravity of the situation as it highlights illegal site allocations during Congress's rule.
Key Takeaways
- ED's notice to Siddaramaiah's wife is a major setback.
- Vijayendra claims Siddaramaiah was misled about escaping the MUDA scam.
- Shivakumar appeared pleased with the ED's actions.
- ED operates independently, focusing on illegal allocations.
- Calls for accountability in the MUDA case are intensifying.
Bengaluru, Jan 27 (NationPress) Karnataka BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra remarked on Monday that the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) notice to the spouse of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Minister Byrathi Suresh to appear before the ED regarding the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam represents a major setback and has sent shockwaves through the Chief Minister's camp.
During a press interaction at the BJP state headquarters "Jagannath Bhavan" in Bengaluru, Vijayendra expressed that Siddaramaiah was under the misconception that he could evade the MUDA scandal by returning 14 sites allocated unlawfully to his wife.
He also commented on D.K. Shivakumar’s remarks, stating, "I noticed a sense of satisfaction on Shivakumar's face regarding the ED's actions; he appeared to take pleasure in the fact that Siddaramaiah's family had received notices."
“Shivakumar's evident pleasure regarding the ED notice to Siddaramaiah's family was quite apparent,” Vijayendra mocked.
Vijayendra emphasized that the ED functions according to its own guidelines and will continue its investigation without bias.
He asserted, "Rather than being politically driven, this notice highlights the massive illegal allocation of sites worth thousands of crores during the Congress's administration, which were intended for the underprivileged. This colossal scam will have significant repercussions in the near future."
According to Vijayendra, Siddaramaiah is eager to obtain a "B Report" from the Lokayukta to escape the ramifications of the MUDA scandal.
"Concurrently, the ED has dispatched a notice to the Chief Minister's wife, summoning her for questioning. Likewise, Minister Byrathi Suresh has also been served an ED notice. It is unavoidable that both Byrathi Suresh and the Chief Minister's wife will face the investigative bodies," he stated.
Siddaramaiah's attempts to expedite the case by securing a "B Report" from the Karnataka Lokayukta have suffered a significant blow, he said.
"The media has already spotlighted the Lokayukta investigation into this matter. Even prior to receiving a notice, Siddaramaiah's brother-in-law, the third accused, was frequently visiting the Mysuru Lokayukta office at night," he alleged.
He further criticized the special privileges granted to Siddaramaiah's family, which became evident during the MUDA investigation.
Vijayendra recalled that both BJP and JD-S had participated in a protest march concerning the MUDA scam in Mysuru.
"Thanks to our efforts, Siddaramaiah's wife submitted a letter overnight to MUDA, offering to return the 14 sites. Siddaramaiah seemed to think this would absolve him of the controversy. However, today's ED notice has certainly come as a surprise," he added.
Vijayendra noted that the details of the Lokayukta report and the information submitted to the state High Court regarding the case are still emerging.
The Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, R. Ashoka, commented on the situation in Bengaluru, stating, "It’s normal for the ED to issue a notice to Siddaramaiah's wife. The ED and the CBI operate independently, and there is no bias. When notices were sent to former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and BJP MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy, it was acceptable. Now, it seems to be wrong. This reflects the Congress's double standards."
Commenting on the Lokayukta investigation, he remarked that the Lokayukta is an entity operating under Siddaramaiah's purview. The state government supervises officers’ transfers and postings. Why would they risk taking action against the ruling Congress-led government? From the outset, we have insisted on a CBI inquiry into the MUDA case, he stated.
BJP MLC C.T. Ravi asserted that all party leaders agree on the facts related to the MUDA scandal, specifically that sites were unlawfully allocated to influential figures.
He added that the Congress party has also recognized this issue. The investigation must identify who was involved, during whose administration this occurred, and who benefitted.
“My question is, if B.M. Parvathi were not the Chief Minister’s spouse, would she have received alternative site allocations in the Vijayanagar area, which was developed 30 years ago in Mysuru? When we analyze both prospective and retrospective facts, there was no legal basis for site allotments based on a 50:50 sharing arrangement for acquired land. Yet, the sites were allocated. On the surface, everything is abundantly clear,” Ravi stated.
“The guilty must be held accountable. The ED has seized 142 properties in connection with this case. What was the Lokayukta, which is investigating this matter, doing? The officer implicated in the MUDA scandal was even promoted. Who is behind this? If the guilty are not punished, the law and the Constitution will lose their significance. If corrupt individuals are permitted to govern, corruption will only escalate,” Ravi concluded.
