In a developing story that has stirred the political waters in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is facing mounting accusations regarding the allotment of plots by the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) to his wife, Parvati. It is alleged that these plots were designated in a parallel layout, despite the availability of sites in the third phase of Devanur, prompting calls for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter.
The controversy gained traction after complainant Snehamayi Krishna released a document on social media asserting that there were indeed 370 unallocated plots in the third phase of Devanur. This directly contradicts Siddaramaiah’s earlier claims that sites were unavailable in that phase, necessitating a request for alternate allocations.
In response to the ongoing allegations, Siddaramaiah took to social media to defend the request made by his wife for replacement land. His tweet stated, “My wife has asked for replacement land in the Devanur Third phase layout, developed after MUDA took possession of her land, or in the parallel layout developed by the authority later. Since no sites are available there, she has simply updated her application for a plot in the parallel layout. There is no note, no order, no command in this.” He criticized opponents from the BJP and JD(S), accusing them of distorting facts about his wife’s application.
However, the documents released by Snehamayi Krishna tell a different story. According to information provided by the Special Tahsildar of MUDA, 4,395 sites were developed in the third phase of the Devanur layout, of which 4,025 have already been allotted, leaving 370 still available for distribution. This revelation raises serious questions about Siddaramaiah’s assertions and the legitimacy of the alternate site allocation for his wife.
The ongoing debate was amplified when Krishna challenged Siddaramaiah’s integrity, stating, “Didn’t Siddaramaiah claim in his official X account that a request was made to provide sites in the parallel layout since sites were not available in the third phase of Devanur? It is clear now that 370 sites are still pending in the third phase. The people of the state need to note who is lying.”
Adding fuel to the fire, the court recently reviewed the proceedings of a meeting held at MUDA, where Siddaramaiah, who was then the Leader of the Opposition, and his son, Yathindra, were present during the approval of the 14 alternative sites for Parvati. The situation became more dubious when the site inspection report indicated that the land appeared abandoned, with no electric wires, trees, or buildings.
The court’s judgment also suggested that an inquiry should be conducted to determine whether a genuine site inspection occurred or if reports were fabricated from the comfort of office air-conditioning. Furthermore, during Siddaramaiah’s previous tenure as Chief Minister, the process for allocating alternative sites was notably adjusted from a ratio of 60:40 to a more favourable 50:50 distribution.
The state government denies providing information on CMs advisors’ pay and perks under RTI
In a surprising turn of events, Sunil Kunagolu, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s chief advisor, has declared that certain information regarding his salary, advice rendered, and other related details do not fall under the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act. This statement comes despite Kunagolu’s office having previously provided similar information under RTI just a year and a half ago, raising concerns about a shift in policy.
On January 21, 2025, Kunagolu’s office responded to inquiries, asserting that the salary, advice, and travel allowances received by Kunagolu and other associated information do not align with the stipulations outlined in Section 2(f) of the RTI Act, 2005. This section broadly defines information as any matter in various forms that can be obtained from a public authority, including records, documents, opinions, suggestions, and more.
Curiously, an application filed by an activist on October 22, 2024, seeking similar information went unanswered for 60 days, after which it received a one-line response indicating that the requested information did not come under the ambit of the RTI Act. This contradiction has further fueled doubts and inquiries regarding the transparency of Kunagolu’s office.
The context of Section 2(f) is critical here, as it includes suggestions as part of the information accessible under RTI. The assertion by Kunagolu’s office that the information sought does not fit within this framework contradicts what many perceive as the RTI Act’s purpose: to promote transparency and accountability in public offices.
Moreover, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is already embroiled in various allegations concerning the Mysore Urban Development (MUD) Authority, and Kunagolu’s absence from public view only adds to the mystery. Reports indicate that since he was appointed chief advisor, Kunagolu has not visited his office at the Vidhana Soudha, with only support staff present to carry out the operations.
Despite claiming to be a significant strategist for the Congress party, particularly in electoral strategies against the BJP government, Kunagolu has not held any meetings with Siddaramaiah since his appointment. This lack of engagement raises eyebrows, especially given the earlier claims that he provided verbal suggestions on a subject basis during his tenure.
Furthermore, the information previously provided under RTI stated that Kunagolu had not received a salary or travel allowance since his appointment—an unusual occurrence for someone in a cabinet-level advisory role, especially one touted for his pivotal role in Congress’s strategies leading up to the elections.
With Kunagolu identified as a key election strategist, his apparent inactivity and the controversial handling of RTI requests could challenge the party’s efforts to maintain momentum following recent electoral gains.
Kunagolu, hailing from Bellary and credited with orchestrating strategies against the BJP, was assigned dedicated office space and staff at Vidhana Soudha as a testament to his perceived value within the party. However, with the ongoing scrutiny over his role and the lack of transparency surrounding his position, questions remain about the effectiveness of his contributions as Chief Advisor.
