‘MLA GT Devegowda has spoken truth, BJP leaders should respond on Ashoka’s case’: Zameer Ahmed

BENGALURU: Housing and Minorities Welfare Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan has said that JD(S) MLA G T Devegowda has spoken the truth regarding the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam, and there is no need for the chief minister to tender his resignation.

Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, Khan said, “In the MUDA case, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has no involvement and hence, there is no need for him to resign. We have been saying this from day one, and now G T Devegowda and another BJP MLA, S T Somashekar, are also saying the same thing. Siddaramaiah will not resign and he will remain the Chief Minister for the full five years”.

The minister said even after the land was returned, BJP leaders are still demanding the Chief Minister’s resignation. “If that is the case, in the Lottegollahalli case, Ashoka bought the land which was notified and after a dispute arose, they returned it to the BDA. Then shouldn’t he resign as well? Do they have one law and another for them?” questioned the minister.

Zameer Ahmed said the court has ordered an investigation and not asked for resignation adding that the probe proceed, and the truth will come out, he said.

#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka: On JD(S) leader GT Dewegowda backing CM Siddaramaiah on MUDA case, Karnataka Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan says, ” …GT Dewegowda is a senior MLA, he has been MLA from Mysuru, he knows everything about MUDA. There is a committee inside MUDA and he… pic.twitter.com/B9LdzRYrK2

— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2024

In a 2019 decision, the Karnataka High Court had dismissed criminal proceedings against R Ashoka, the current BJP Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, in an alleged land scam case.

Addressing a press conference on the MUDA case on Wednesday, Home Minister G Parameshwara said that the BJP earlier said that it was wrong to accept the disputed sites, but now they are saying it is wrong to return them. “As you’re all aware of the MUDA issue, Mrs Siddaramaiah has decided to return 14 sites. Now, the BJP leaders are saying that it is wrong to return, but accepting was also a mistake”, he said in the press conference.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah hardened his position on the allegations related to the MUDA land scam. He once again reiterated that he would not resign, adding that he is trying to act according to his conscience in this matter. Siddaramaiah said that he became the Chief Minister with the blessings of the people and no one can do anything until they have the support of the people. (ANI)