Will Rahul Gandhi Demand Resignation of Cong MP Naik Over MUDA Scam: BJP's Siroya

Bengaluru, Feb 25 (NationPress) Following the indictment of Congress MP G. Kumar Naik by the Karnataka Lokayukta in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam, BJP's Rajya Sabha member Lahar Singh Siroya has raised questions regarding whether Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, will demand Naik's resignation.

Siroya took to social media, stating, 'Today, I read in the newspapers that the Lokayukta investigation report indicates that the MUDA scam, which allegedly involves Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's family, was a result of illegal actions taken by G. Kumar Naik, who was the deputy commissioner of Mysuru at that time, along with three other officials.'

'G. Kumar Naik abruptly left the IAS before the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections and is currently serving as a Congress MP representing Raichur in Karnataka. Should we interpret his candidacy for the Lok Sabha as a significant reward for the favors he extended to Congress leaders during his service? Has he committed other illegal acts akin to the MUDA scam to receive substantial political benefits from the Congress party? Was AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge aware of his integrity while he was an IAS officer? Is the state government apparatus working diligently to protect the chief minister and his family by sacrificing officers? Will this strategy backfire? Is this not going to demoralize the state's bureaucracy?' Siroya queried.

'Now that Kumar Naik is retired, will he face penalties? Or has he become untouchable? Will the Indian National Congress, Karnataka Congress unit, and Rahul Gandhi, who frequently speak of integrity, demand Naik's resignation as Raichur MP? Or will they ignore this issue because they consider themselves champions of 'saving' Indian democracy?' Siroya mocked.

'The investigation has determined that CM Siddaramaiah and his family were entirely innocent and had no involvement in the unlawful allocation of 14 plots. If this is indeed the case, it raises several pertinent questions. I've previously tweeted about Kumar Naik: Firstly, this is an acknowledgment that the MUDA scam is genuine and not a fabrication, as some Congress members have attempted to assert. This scandal is not a witch hunt but a consequence of their own actions.'

'Whether the officers acted independently or were coerced into illegal activities by their political superiors remains an unresolved question. It is hard to believe that an IAS officer would break the law and generate false records voluntarily. He likely faced pressure and, in return, sought protection and compensation,' Siroya alleged.

'A CBI inquiry could potentially clarify the mystery of political pressure exerted on the officers. It may not be too late to request one in light of the Lokayukta report,' he suggested.

The Karnataka Lokayukta has exonerated Chief Minister Siddaramaiah (listed as the first accused), his wife B.M. Parvathi (the second accused), and CM's brother-in-law, Mallikarjunaswamy (the third accused). The investigation also cleared the fourth accused landowner, J. Devaraju.

In response to the allegations, MP Kumar Naik remarked on Tuesday that he has yet to review the Lokayukta report. 'Once the report is available, we will determine the next steps. During the land alienation process, the de-notification occurred. The regulation stipulates that compensation for the land is the land itself. The rule does not mandate otherwise. Upon filing for alienation, it is our responsibility to execute it within 90 days,' he stated.

Further addressing the Lokayukta report, MP Kumar Naik clarified that the land was de-notified prior to its government acquisition. 'We conducted the acquisition only after comprehensive verification,' he added.