MUDA Case: BJP Demands Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah’s Resignation After Lokayukta Appearance

The Opposition BJP protestors in Karnataka carried placards chanted slogans condemning Siddaramaiah and the Congress administration over the alleged MUDA 'scam'.

In Karnataka, the opposition BJP took to the streets on Wednesday demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who had appeared before the Lokayukta police in connection with the (Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment case. The protest follows the CM’s appearance before Lokayukta to answer allegations related to the allotment of sites by MUDA.

The protestors carried placards, chanted slogans condemning Siddaramaiah and the Congress administration, and voiced grievances about alleged police interference, claiming that officers attempted to prevent them from demonstrating, as per a report on PTI. Ultimately, police intervened and escorted the protesters away in vehicles.

Led by BJP MLA TS Srivatsa, the demonstrators criticised Siddaramaiah’s continued role as Chief Minister amidst the ongoing investigation. Srivatsa, along with other protestors, questioned the impartiality of a probe targeting a sitting Chief Minister, suggesting that a fair investigation would be compromised under such circumstances.

Emphasising their lack of confidence in the Lokayukta's handling of the case, Srivatsa called for the matter to be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a more transparent process.

Karnataka Assembly LoP R Ashoka said, "The High Court has given the verdict. CM Siddaramaiah is involved in the case. Lokayukta Police has also called for the inquiry...I am not satisfied with the Lokayukta inquiry...Only the CBI inquiry can give the correct information regarding what happened in the MUDA case. That's why we demand CBI inquiry."

Siddaramaiah currently stands as accused number one in the Lokayukta’s FIR, which alleges irregularities in the allotment of 14 sites to his wife, Parvathi BM, by MUDA. His wife, named as the second accused, was questioned on October 25 in connection with the case. The FIR, lodged by the Lokayukta police in Mysuru on September 27, includes additional allegations involving Siddaramaiah’s brother-in-law, Mallikarjuna Swamy, and Devaraju, who initially sold the land to Swamy, who later gifted it to Parvathi.

Swamy and Devaraju have already provided statements to the Lokayukta police.