Bengaluru, Feb 20: Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra has alleged that chief minister Siddaramaiah obtained a "fake clean chit" from the Lokayukta in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam case.
Speaking at the BJP headquarters on Thursday, Vijayendra said, "The clean chit given to CM Siddaramaiah’s family is fake. The officers chosen by him conducted the investigation, so nothing much could be expected from it. The party will discuss how to take this forward."
He claimed that the Lokayukta’s decision was anticipated. "As we have pointed out repeatedly, during the investigation, the chief minister’s family members visited the Lokayukta office late at night as if it were their relative’s house. This clearly shows the nature of the probe. Given this background, it is no surprise that CM Siddaramaiah has been given a clean chit in the Rs 5,000 crore MUDA scam. It’s a fake clean chit," he said.
Vijayendra also questioned Siddaramaiah’s earlier stance. "He initially claimed there was no scam and that he had not obtained sites illegally. We launched a padyatra from Bengaluru to Mysuru, his hometown. Fearing political repercussions, he hastily wrote to MUDA, stating that he would return the 14 allotted sites," he said.
"If he or his family had not obtained sites illegally, why did he return them? If the Lokayukta has given him a clean chit, does returning stolen goods absolve a thief? CM Siddaramaiah and the media need to clarify this," he added.
The BJP leader further questioned how the Lokayukta could clear Siddaramaiah despite his acknowledgment that the land allotment was improper. "When the chief minister handpicks officers to investigate allegations against him, what other outcome can be expected? We will discuss the future course of action," he said.
Meanwhile, leader of the opposition in the legislative council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, also raised doubts over the investigation. "Chief minister Siddaramaiah is the boss of Lokayukta officers. How can these officers investigate and punish their own superior? Given this situation, the case should be handed over to the CBI," he said.
Narayanaswamy pointed out that a team of IAS officers had initially been formed to investigate the issue, followed by the constitution of an SIT, both of which were not withdrawn. "The court ordered a Lokayukta probe, but the officers working there are ultimately under the chief minister," he said.
He also questioned why the 14 sites allotted to Siddaramaiah’s family were returned. "What does surrendering those sites mean? He realised they were obtained illegally. The land did not originally belong to them—it was acquired by MUDA for a layout, yet they purchased it and then sought alternative sites," he alleged.
“There was pressure on the Lokayukta to grant a clean chit. If CM Siddaramaiah has the courage, let him face a CBI investigation or resign from his post. We have decided to fight this, and a statewide movement will be launched across Karnataka,” he added.
The Karnataka Lokayukta, which probed the MUDA case, submitted an 11,000-page closure report to the special court for MLAs and MPs in Bengaluru on Thursday.
Mysuru Lokayukta SP T J Udesh submitted the report a day after the Karnataka Lokayukta cleared CM Siddaramaiah and the other accused in the case.
Sources revealed that the closure report named Siddaramaiah, his wife B M Parvathi, his brother-in-law Mallikarjunswamy, and landowner J Devaraju.