Karnataka Government’s MUDA Scam: Defending the indefensible

The silence of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddiramaiah and the Congress in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam reveals a staggering network of corruption implicating top officials, influential politicians, and real estate elites.

As the scandal unfolds, Siddaramaiah finds himself in the eye of a storm – he is accused of sanctioning the illegal land deals that have rocked the state. The scandal has not only triggered a fierce political battle between the ruling Congress and the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) but has also put the life of Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot at risk, as threats against him have intensified following his approval to prosecute Siddaramaiah.

A Timeline of Corruption

Dating back to 2004, the MUDA scam involves an illegal transfer and sale of government land in Mysuru, intended for public use, to private developers at exceptionally low rates. The fraudulent scheme, orchestrated by a nexus of MUDA officials resulted in an estimated loss of hundreds of crores to the state exchequer. The controversy centers around the alleged irregularities in the allocation of compensatory sites. At the core of the scam is a 3.2-acre parcel of land gifted to the Chief Minister’s wife, Parvathi, by her brother Mallikarjunaswamy in 2010. After the land was acquired by MUDA, Parvathi sought compensation and was subsequently allotted 14 plots, reportedly far more valuable than the original piece. Opposition parties estimate the scam could be worth anywhere between Rs 3,000 crore and Rs 4,000 crore.

The scandal remained under wraps until recently, when a few social activists Snehamayi Krishna, Gangaraju and TJ Abraham began to uncover the shady land deals. Using documents obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act, these activists revealed how the land meant for public welfare projects was being illegally allocated to private entities connected to powerful political figures. The activists’ shared their findings with the Media in the first week of July this year, which resulted in a series of investigative reports exposing the full scale of the scam. The revelations led to a public outcry and immediate political reactions, especially from the BJP, which quickly capitalised on the scandal to launch an all-out attack on the Congress-led state government. The social activists who exposed the MUDA scam faced significant risks, including threats and harassment, but remained undeterred. Their relentless efforts to uncover the truth played a critical role in bringing the scandal to light and holding those involved accountable. The MUDA scam has triggered a political storm in Karnataka, with the BJP leading the charge against the Congress. In a series of fiery public statements and protests, BJP leaders, including former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and former Karnataka BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel, have accused the Congress of orchestrating and covering up the scam. They have demanded Siddaramaiah’s resignation, branding him as the “kingpin”. BJP leaders staged a massive protest in Bengaluru, demanding a full-fledged investigation into the MUDA scam and the prosecution of all those involved.

Governor Gehlot: A Beacon of Integrity Amid Chaos

The State BJP also launched a seven-day padayatra from Bengaluru to Mysuru on August 4, to force Siddaramaiah to resign. The protest, which drew thousands of BJP supporters, was marked by chants of “Down with Corruption” and “Resign Siddaramaiah,” reflecting the public anger over the scandal. The BJP spokespersons have also accused him and his supporters of trying to derail the investigation by exerting pressure on the authorities. Their relentless criticism has put the Congress government on the defensive.

Amid the political turmoil, Gehlot has emerged as a key figure in the ongoing investigation. On August 17, 2024, he approved the prosecution of the Chief Minister, despite significant pressure from Congress leaders to block the investigation. The Governor’s decision was seen as a major victory for transparency and accountability, but it also deepened the political crisis in the state. However, Gehlot’s actions have also made him a target – he has faced a number of threats, reportedly from the supporters of Siddaramaiah within the Congress. Intelligence reports suggested a plot to intimidate or harm him to obstruct the probe, leading to the state government providing him with Z-grade security and a bulletproof vehicle.

Protests and Politics: A State Divided

Complainant Snehamayi Krishna has also accused Siddaramaiah of misleading the court by providing false information. Siddaramaiah submitted a writ petition of 713 pages to the court. In this, Page Number 531 carries information about the application written by Parvathy. However, the second page, which should have been on page 532, is missing. It is alleged that an attempt was made to use whitener to erase evidence on the second page. Instead of the second page, Page Number 532 contains the minutes of the meeting of the Urban Development Authority. Snehamai claims that the second page was deliberately withheld from the court since whitener was used on this.

The MUDA scam has exposed the deep-seated corruption that continues to plague Karnataka’s political system. The public, outraged by the scale of the corruption, is demanding accountability. For the Congress party, the scandal represents a critical test of its integrity and its ability to govern.