Bengaluru: Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje has levied serious accusations against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, claiming that his wife, Parvathi Siddaramaiah, acquired 14 sites unlawfully from the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
According to Minister Karandlaje, the controversy centers around the acquisition of land in Kesare village by MUDA in 1992, where Parvathi Siddaramaiah allegedly declined the compensation offered at the time. Highlighting the timeline, Karandlaje pointed out that Siddaramaiah, who was then serving as the Finance Minister, purportedly did not address the issue despite being in a position to influence decisions.
“The matter persisted through subsequent years when Siddaramaiah held prominent positions in the state government, including as Deputy Chief Minister in 1998 and Finance Minister in 2002,” Karandlaje asserted, alleging inaction on Siddaramaiah’s part as MUDA notifications regarding the land were issued.
Karandlaje further claimed that in 2021, Parvathi Siddaramaiah sought compensation under a provision not applicable to her, referencing a 2015 law that mandates 50% of developed sites be returned to individuals on acquired lands. Despite this exemption, pressure allegedly mounted in 2017 for compensation, leading to Parvathi Siddaramaiah acquiring 14 sites from the Kesare village in 2022, a move Karandlaje described as a violation of legal norms.
Demanding accountability, the Union Minister called for Siddaramaiah’s resignation, accusing him of benefiting from the irregular acquisition. Karandlaje also raised concerns over what she described as attempts to suppress the matter.
In response, Siddaramaiah’s office has not issued an immediate statement regarding the allegations, with political circles and the public closely observing developments in Karnataka amid escalating tensions.
The controversy is poised to impact the state’s political landscape, with opposition parties urging a thorough investigation into the allegations of land acquisition irregularities involving the Chief Minister’s family.
