Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has boldly declared, "I am not afraid," after a trial court mandated a police case against him in connection with the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam. Following a complaint by activist Snehamayi Krishna, the Special Court directed the state's Lokayukta to conduct an inquiry within three months, prompting Siddaramaiah to express his readiness to face the investigation.
The allegations suggest that Siddaramaiah's wife, Parvathi, received multiple plots of land in Mysuru as compensation for land acquired for infrastructure projects, which reportedly led to state losses of at least ₹4,000 crore. Siddaramaiah has firmly denied these claims, emphasizing his long political career without engaging in illegal activities and expressing confidence that the judiciary will vindicate him.
This announcement comes on the heels of a setback for Siddaramaiah, as the Karnataka High Court dismissed his challenge against Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot's sanction for his prosecution. The court upheld that the Governor had acted appropriately, further intensifying the scrutiny on Siddaramaiah from political opponents, especially the BJP, which has been vocal in its calls for his resignation.
The MUDA land scam has escalated into a major political flashpoint, with the BJP and its ally, the Janata Dal Secular, pressuring Siddaramaiah to step down. In response, Siddaramaiah's supporters within the Congress have rallied around him, labeling the accusations as politically motivated. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar echoed this sentiment, stating that Siddaramaiah is innocent and that the allegations are part of a broader conspiracy by the BJP.