Congress releases documents on MUDA site allocation, says alternate plots allotted during BJP tenure

BENGALURU: The war of words between Congress and BJP over the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam is reaching fever pitch. On Friday, Chief Minister inister Siddaramaiah, who has denied the allegations against him, has released land documents.

The CM  held a press conference at the Vidhana Soudha and launched an attack at the BJP. The Congress leaders released documents related to the MUDA site scam, stating that alternative land was given during the previous BJP government’s tenure.

Speaking about the MUDA site allocation, CM Siddaramaiah claimed there was no scam as alleged by the BJP in both Houses. The Assembly Speaker and the Chairman of the Legislative Council rejected the BJP notice for a motion, citing that it was against the rules to discuss the matter, he said.

The CM said that the opposition BJP and JDS did not allow discussion on any issue in the Assembly, except for the Valmiki Nagar scam. He accused the opposition of trying to tarnish his image and the state government’s reputation.

“Opposition cannot tolerate Congress coming to power. They cannot bear to see me as CM for the second time. We convened a two-week session and the Valmiki Corporation scam was discussed for the whole duration. Apart from that, the problem of the state was not raised. Our MLAs mentioned the floods in the state. The opposition did not propose it. The opposition did not discuss other issues”, the CM lashed out and said that the state government and the CM’s image should not be smeared.

Regarding the MUDA case, he said that the land acquired was inherited property. The landowner, Ninga, had applied to the Mysore taluk office on August 2, 1935, and an auction took place. The auction amount was Rs 3. On September 26, 1935, a notice was issued for the auction, and on October 13, 1935, Ninga participated in the auction and announced it for Rs 1. Since no one else was present, Ninga bought it for Rs 1, he claimed.

The CM released the sale documents, stating that the land was purchased through auction and was not an illegal transaction. He said that the BJP-JDS were spreading false information was involved in malicious activities.

“This is own property; the Prohibition of Transfer of Certain Lands (PTCL) Act does not apply to this. The BJP-JDS are giving out false information. They are doing very mischievous, cunning deeds. They said that even if it was bought in the auction, the PTCL Act would apply. The land sale was done as per law. Ninga’s son Javaraya has three children – Mallaiah, Mylaraiah, and Devaraj”, Siddaramaiah said, releasing the family tree.

“Mallaiah had no heirs. Second son Mylaraiah’s wife Puttagowramma’s son is Manjunath Swamy. Devaraj is the third son. Three people have signed the family tree – Mallayya, Puttagowramma, Devaraj, and Manjunath Swamy. Therefore, the family tree is correct. As per the family tree, Mallaiah, Mylaraiah, and Devaraj are Ninga’s children”, he said.

The CM added, “On 10-4-1993, a letter was written to the government stating that there is no objection to opening an account in Devaraj’s name. Mallaiah, Puttagowramma, and Devaraj signed it. We did not sign, they signed. Even after all this, the BJP is shamelessly telling lies”, he said. “After this, the mutation is also in Devaraj’s name”, CM read out from the documents.

“There is no truth in what the BJP and JDS say. After 24 years, they are accusing Manjunath Swamy of cheating and saying we should also get a share. Manjunath Swamy had also signed them. Now the BJP is making him say that he should also get a share”, CM added.

“Devaraj’s name is on the mutation. After this, the authorities issued a preliminary notification in 1992 to acquire the land for the site. In 1997, the final notification was issued. The BJP-JDS say that the denotification was done without applying. In 1996-97, Bachegowda was the minister. Landowner Devaraj applied on 13-8-1996. I am living on this land inherited from my father. Devaraj has applied to drop the land acquisition process for urban development. Then there was a committee to do de-notification”, he said.

Then, CM read out the proceedings, saying that there was a committee under the chairmanship of Balasubrahmanyan.

The Chief Minister further said, “In 1998, denotification was done for this land. After that, Mallikarjun Swamy bought the land in 2004 from Devaraj. Devaraj, his wife, and children have signed and given it. It was a legal purchase. In 2005, Mallikarjun Swamy got the land conversion. My father-in-law has three children: Mallikarjun Swamy, Jagadish, and my wife. My wife is the second child. In 2010, Mallikarjun Swamy gave it to my wife through a gift deed. Is there anything wrong with this?” CM asked.

“In 2013-2014, we came to know that Muda had illegally taken over the land and created a site and park. So, we applied for alternative land. Is there anything wrong with this? Is there any violation of law? We asked for 50:50 investment and site allocation. We did not ask for a site here. MUDA officials told us that they had given us a site in Vijayanagar”, he said.

“Our land is 3 acres (16 gunta), which is a total of 1,48,000 square feet. They have given us 38,284 square feet. They have taken 1,48,000 square feet of land from us and given us 38,284 square feet of developed site”.

“The then Muda committee consisted of Ramdas, GT Devegowda, and Nagendra. They made the decision that day. The committee decided to provide 50:50 land compensation. According to the 50:50 resolution, 909 sites were allocated. A total of 1328 sites were allocated that day. We did not ask for a site in such a place. They themselves gave it. The BJP people in the committee have also agreed to this. Where is the illegality in this? In Vijayanagar layout, they have given 125 sites to others as well. They have given it to us too. Is there anything wrong with mine, my wife’s, or my brother-in-laws?” The CM asked at the press meet.

Minister Byrathi Suresh released the document about who gave land to whom during the BJP period. He also released the list of opposition leaders to whom the MUDA sites have been allotted. The names of H Vishwanath, GT Deve Gowda, Manje Gowda, Sa Ra Mahesh, and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy are on the list.