Siddaramaiah embroiled in MUDA scam, should step down, says BJP’s Sambit Patra

NEW DELHI: BJP MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra hit out at Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah after Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) chairman and close aide of Siddaramaiah, Marigowda, submitted his resignation on Wednesday. Patra said that it was clear from the incident that Siddaramaiah was embroiled in the MUDA scam and he should immediately step down.

Sambit Patra said, “MUDA chairman has resigned a short while ago and Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah had offered to return the land he received as compensation. Both these things make it clear that Congress leader Siddaramaiah is embroiled in the MUDA scam head to toe. The ED filed a chargesheet yesterday. The chargesheet says that Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Schedule Tribes Development Corporation’s fund, which was meant for the SC/STs, was diverted for Lok Sabha polls”.

He alleged that the Congress tried to influence the polls in the Ballari Lok Sabha seat. “Around 7 lakh people in Bellary Lok Sabha Constituency were distributed Rs 200 each during the 2024 general elections. The chargesheet mentions that the money that was in the custody of the Maharshi Valmiki Board was used for political purpose by Congress which was money of the taxpayers. The suicide note of chief accountant P Chandrasekaran also says that Rs 187 crore were illegally shifted,” he further said.

He said that there is a rule in the country that the funds allocated for the SC/ST community cannot be diverted. “Rahul Gandhi goes to US and declares if Congress comes to power then they can quash reservations and simultaneously we see in Karnataka money for welfare of SC/ST is diverted”, he added.

He further said, “Siddaramaiah’s offer to return the allotted land and his acceptance on the floor of the House that the money was diverted, does this not reek of an acceptance of guilt? I call upon Siddaramaiah that if he has the slightest of morality left, then he should immediately step down. You should not wait for today’s sunset. The curtain should be drawn on the regime of Karnataka even before today’s sunset.”

Earlier MUDA chairman Marigowda, has submitted his resignation stating health issues. “I have given my resignation to the Secretary of the Urban Development Department, the CM instructed me to resign, so I have resigned. My health is not good, so I resigned. MUDA investigation is ongoing. Let the investigation take place. The investigation will reveal the truth. There is no pressure on me. I resigned due to ill health. The CM has not put any pressure on me regarding the issue”, Gowda said.

This development follows Enforcement Directorate (ED) booking Siddaramaiah in connection with the alleged MUDA land allotment scam. (ANI)