Waqf Controversy: Anwar Manipaddy Accuses Congress Leaders of Bribery Amid K'taka CM's Claims

Bengaluru, Dec 15 (NationPress) Former Chairman of the Minority Commission, Anwar Manipaddy, on Sunday denied the bribery allegations made by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He claimed that it was the Congress leaders who had been trying to bribe him in order to suppress the report on Waqf encroachments.

On Saturday, CM Siddaramaiah accused BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra of attempting to bribe the former Minority Commission Chairperson with a sum of Rs 150 crore during the previous administration to obstruct an investigation into the encroachment of Waqf property.

In a media interaction, Anwar Manipaddy pointed out that if CM Siddaramaiah truly had any real concern for Muslims, he should submit his report regarding Waqf encroachments to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

“The offers in this matter came from the Congress. They suggested I relocate to the US since I held a Green Card. Vijayendra never proposed that he would give me Rs 150 crore. In 2012, when I was the Minority Commission Chairman, I had never encountered Vijayendra's name as he was merely the party's Vice President,” Anwar clarified.

“I recall discussing the implementation of the report with him when his father B.S. Yediyurappa was the Chief Minister. I had criticized Vijayendra for various reasons, but he never offered me Rs 150 crore. Following my report presentation in the Assembly, CM Yediyurappa acknowledged it during the session,” Anwar elaborated.

“The Congress leaders have been making these offers for three to four years. However, I have consistently rejected them. Now, they appear hesitant to approach me. The Waqf encompasses a total of 54,000 acres, with approximately 27,000 to 28,000 acres currently encroached upon. The Waqf board presently possesses 23,000 to 24,000 acres. The Congress government and CM Siddaramaiah are issuing notices to farmers asserting ownership over 1.60 lakh acres of Waqf land, aiming to create discord between Hindus and Muslims,” Anwar Manipaddy criticized.

“My findings, detailed in 7,000 pages regarding the encroachment of Waqf properties by influential individuals, including Congress leaders, represent just a fraction of the extensive issue. Should the CBI initiate an investigation, the illegalities and encroachments could expand to 70,000 pages,” Anwar stated.

“The Congress attempts to use financial and coercive tactics against me to suppress the report. My personal secretary Ateeq had his retirement benefits withheld, although the court provided him relief. CM Siddaramaiah faces pressure from multiple directions concerning the Waqf issue. He is endeavoring to conceal the truth and is invoking Vijayendra's name as a distraction from the encroachment matter,” he asserted.

In a press statement on Saturday, CM Siddaramaiah called for a CBI investigation against Karnataka BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra for allegedly attempting to silence the Waqf scam report by offering Rs 150 crore to former Minority Commission Chairman and BJP leader Anwar Manipaddy.

Vijayendra, in response to the bribery allegations, labeled them as 'baseless'.

Addressing the accusations, Vijayendra posed the question, 'You (CM Siddaramaiah), who is fearful of CBI and ED investigations, have questioned the Governor's endorsement for prosecution and have unsuccessfully tried to shield yourself legally by hiring prominent lawyers from New Delhi. After experiencing humiliation due to the High Court's ruling, what moral authority do you possess to demand a CBI investigation against others?'