Kalaburagi (Karnataka) [India], December 5 (ANI): Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra on Thursday hit back at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for questioning the Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe, saying the ED has presented the facts to the people of Karnataka after a thorough investigation. Vijayendra claimed that Siddaramaiah is upset that the truth has come out.
Speaking to ANI, Karnataka BJP president said, “Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is upset as the facts have come through ED investigation. We (BJP) have been complaining that investigation agencies like Lokayukta have been exploited, misused by the ruling Congress government. We have been complaining that there was a forgery and illegal gratification has took place in the Mysore MUDA scandal. All the 14 sites received by CM’s family are totally illegal.”
“Enforcement Directorate after a thorough investigation has kept facts before the people of Karnataka. CM Siddaramaiah is upset that the truth has come out,” he added.
Vijayendra’s remarks followed Siddaramaiah’s statement on Wednesday, in which he condemned the ED for writing a letter to the Lokayukta just before a petition was set to be heard in the High Court and questioned ED’s investigation in the MUDA scam case.
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said on X, “Just a day before our petition is set to be heard in the High Court, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) writes to the Lokayukta – a move clearly aimed at influencing the judiciary. The ED’s investigation itself is questionable. Even so, the proper course would have been to submit findings to the Lokayukta after completion. Instead, writing to the Lokayukta and leaking it to the media exposes a politically motivated agenda. Publicising this just before the hearing reflects a deliberate attempt to create prejudice and influence the judiciary’s perspective.”
The Mysuru Lokayukta initiated an inquiry into the MUDA scam case following a September 27 court order to file an FIR. The Lokayukta was directed to investigate allegations of illegalities in the allotment of 14 sites worth Rs 56 crore to Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi. It is alleged that MUDA illegally allotted these sites to the Chief Minister’s wife in a prime location in Mysuru city.
The ED has also filed a money laundering case against Siddaramaiah and others. This case was prompted by a First Information Report (FIR) from the state Lokayukta concerning the MUDA, placing the Karnataka Chief Minister in a difficult situation.
The FIR names Siddaramaiah, his wife BM Parvathi, his brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy, and Devaraju, from whom Swamy bought land that was later gifted to Parvathi. The ED has applied provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in its case, allowing the agency to summon individuals for questioning and possibly seize assets during the investigation.
Despite mounting allegations, Siddaramaiah has denied any wrongdoing, calling the case politically motivated. He has refused to resign despite ongoing pressure from the BJP. (ANI)
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