BENGALURU: In a significant development, Mari Gowda, the President of the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA), submitted his resignation to Deepa Cholan, Secretary of the Urban Development Department. Gowda presented his resignation at the Urban Development Department office in Vikas Soudha on Wednesday, citing health reasons.
Gowda’s resignation comes at a time when investigations related to alleged irregularities in land allotments by MUDA are ongoing, leading to speculation about the reasons behind his decision. While Gowda maintained that his resignation was primarily due to health issues, there has been heavy political debate around his departure. Speaking to reporters, he said, “I have resigned as per the instruction of CM Siddaramaiah. My health has not been good, and I had no pressure on me regarding the ongoing investigations. The CM did not force me to step down.”
The resignation has reignited discussions over the MUDA land allotment scandal. An FIR registered with the Lokayukta alleges that illegal land allotments were made in Vijayanagar, Mysore. The complaint claims that 14 plots were allegedly allotted to CM Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, as compensation for land she provided for a MUDA project. Opposition parties argue this arrangement caused a financial loss of ₹45 crores to the state exchequer. Opposition parties, including the BJP and JDS, have been vocal in their criticism, demanding accountability from the government.
The issue stems from a 3.2-acre piece of land that was transferred to Parvathi, Siddaramaiah’s wife, by her brother Mallikarjunaswamy in 2010. According to reports, after MUDA took over the land, Parvathi sought compensation and was granted 14 plots as recompense. However, opposition leaders have raised concerns, arguing that the value of the allotted plots far exceeds that of the original land parcel. Opposition claim the potential scale of the controversy might involve figures ranging from ₹3,000 crore to ₹4,000 crore, turning it into a significant political issue in Karnataka.
The opposition has seized upon these allegations, accusing the chief minister of ethical misconduct and calling for his immediate resignation. If proven, the case makes Siddaramaiah, Karnataka chief minister to face legal challenges while still in office.
Ironically, during Yediyurappa’s tenure, Siddaramaiah, then serving as leader of the opposition, was vocal in his demands for Yediyurappa’s resignation under the same kind of circumstances. Now, over a decade later, Siddaramaiah finds himself in a similar situation, facing increasing calls to step down as the pressure continues to build from political rivals and public scrutiny.
With the MUDA scandal escalating, the chief minister’s political future is uncertain, as the controversy shows no signs of abating, and the opposition remains relentless in demanding accountability.
With Gowda’s resignation, political observers are speculating about the potential implications for CM Siddaramaiah’s administration. Opposition argue that the move could indicate attempts to deflect focus from the ongoing investigation, while others believe it could be a step towards transparency. As the probe continues, the opposition is likely to maintain pressure on the state government, seeking accountability and clarity on the MUDA allegations.
The issue has also seen the involvement of national agencies, hinting at the gravity of the case. Meanwhile, there has been no official response from CM Siddaramaiah regarding Gowda’s resignation, and all eyes are on the developments as the investigation proceeds. The BJP and JDS are expected to keep pushing for action, raising concerns over alleged misuse of power and illegal activities within MUDA.
Gowda’s association with CM Siddaramaiah spans decades, dating back to 1983. Known to be a long-time confidant, Gowda has held various prominent positions, including the President of Mysore Taluk Panchayat in 1995 and Vice President of Mysore Zilla Panchayat in 2000. His close relationship with the CM has led to further speculation about the circumstances surrounding his resignation. However, Gowda insists his decision was voluntary and due to health concerns, having suffered two strokes recently.
Despite rumors, Gowda denied facing pressure from Siddaramaiah or any other officials to resign. He stated, “There was no coercion. I voluntarily stepped down due to my health. The CM did not exert any pressure on me regarding the ongoing MUDA issue. The investigation is active, and I am confident the truth will emerge.”
The MUDA case has seen multiple investigative agencies stepping in, including the Mysore Lokayukta and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The Lokayukta initiated a probe after allegations of illegal land allocations surfaced, involving not only the CM and his wife but also other associates. The ongoing inquiry has raised questions about the possibility of evidence tampering, with accusations leveled against Siddaramaiah’s associates for allegedly attempting to destroy evidence linked to the case.
