Karnataka Government Criticizes Enforcement Directorate for Correspondence with Lokayukta Regarding MUDA Case
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Bengaluru, Dec 4 (NationPress) The Karnataka government has taken a stand against the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for addressing a letter to the Karnataka Lokayukta concerning the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case, which allegedly implicates Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
At a press conference held at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, Home Minister G. Parameshwara, IT & BT and RDPR Minister Priyank Kharge, along with Chief Minister's legal advisor and Congress MLA A.S. Ponnanna, expressed strong disapproval of the ED's actions and criticized the BJP.
Minister Priyank Kharge stated that the ED and IT are mere “puppets” of the central government. He pointed out, “In regions where the BJP lacks strength, they resort to using the CBI and IT. It remains unclear how the ED became involved in the MUDA case. The Chief Minister has asserted that there are no issues and that an investigation can proceed. The timing of the leak is suspicious; the hearing is set for Thursday, yet details were disclosed today (Wednesday). It appears that ED officials themselves leaked information to select media organizations,” Priyank Kharge remarked.
He further noted, “After Sardar Patel, Amit Shah is regarded as the most powerful Home Minister. How could this leak occur under his supervision?”
Kharge asserted that investigations into the MUDA case are ongoing, mentioning that the ED's letter to the Lokayukta raises numerous points.
“Two separate investigations cannot be conducted on the same issue. By reaching out to the Lokayukta, the ED has muddled the situation. During former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai's administration, site allocations were granted to Siddaramaiah's family. Why is only Siddaramaiah's name being circulated across the nation?” he questioned.
He claimed that these actions are intended to distract from the BJP’s handling of Covid-19 and other matters. “The public has made their decision against the BJP's communal politics. We will engage in this battle both politically and legally,” he declared.
Legal advisor Ponnanna emphasized that ED officials have acted unlawfully. “An FIR will be filed. According to the PMLA, the ED lacks jurisdiction in this matter. Their involvement is politically driven. We had chosen to remain silent during the investigation. Their inquiry is not aimed at revealing the truth but rather at suppressing it,” said Ponnanna.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar remarked that any investigation should be kept confidential. “If there is any validity to the claims, it should be presented to the court. Instead of doing so, they are leaking information to the media, reflecting their desperation. This indicates a lack of substance in the case. However, we are undeterred. Our responsibility, our government, and our party will persist in this fight. We trust in the judiciary,” he stated.
