Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (VP)

Mangaluru, Jul 11: MLC Prathapsimha Naik criticized the Congress state government over the alleged Valmiki and MUDA scams.

Addressing the media on Thursday, July 11, at the BJP office, Naik said, "The state Congress government is misusing its power. Today, it is difficult for us to say whether they are working for the development of people or to extort them. The BJP party had clearly said that if the Congress party comes into power, it will become an ATM government. To gain power, they created confusion among the people and proved the BJP's words right."

He further added, "In the Valmiki scam, money from our state was sent to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh during the elections. This incident came to light when a person died by suicide. The investigation began just two days ago, and the ED has questioned Congress ministers, yet the Congress party has given a clean chit to those involved. The Union Bank complained about money laundering, and the chief minister of Karnataka is unaware of such a massive scam. If the money was transferred during elections, it is clear there was involvement from the chief minister, but so far, they have only dismissed one of their ministers."

Regarding the MUDA scam, Naik said, "The Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam happened in chief minister Siddaramaiah's district. He is accused of scamming over Rs 4000-5000 crore worth of land, which was meant for poor people and the SC/ST community. There is documentary evidence, and even the chief minister has admitted to having sites under his wife's name. If an investigation is conducted, Siddaramaiah's involvement will be evident. Despite knowing the land was disputed, the chief minister's relative, Mallikarjun, was given this land as a gift. In 2012, it was declared agricultural land, but it was later found to be converted land. For compensation, the chief minister should have received only two sites but ended up with 14 sites under his wife's name. Such cases have increased since they came into power."

He further stated, "As the news comes to light, Byrathi Suresh directly dismisses officials, indicating that the Congress party is trying to close this issue. During the previous elections, chief minister Siddaramaiah did not declare these lands, which is evidence he has left behind. After coming into power, the Congress party has been allocated a lot of land. There is no use in an SIT investigation; the CBI should take over this issue. The Congress party is focused on making more and more money. To stop this, we will hold a mega protest in Mysuru under the leadership of state BJP president B Y Vijayendra and opposition minister R Ashoka."

Naik also defended MLA Dr Bharath Shetty, stating, "Dr Bharath Shetty has not said anything wrong. If Rahul Gandhi can say that all Hindus are harmful people, then there is nothing wrong with Bharath Shetty's statement. We condemn the action taken against him, and the Congress government is deliberately defaming the MLAs of the district."