Ganesh Kendale
NEW DELHI: Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) chief and a close aide of the Karnataka CM, M K Marigowda, has tendered his resignation citing health reasons.
The resignation comes amid a growing controversy over land allotment irregularities involving Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah.
“I have given my resignation to the Secretary of the Urban Development Department, the CM instructed me to resign, so I have resigned.My health is not good, so I resigned. MUDA investigation is ongoing. Let the investigation take place. The investigation will reveal the truth. There is no pressure on me. I resigned due to ill health. The CM has not put any pressure on me regarding the issue,” Marigowda said submitting his resignation.
MUDA chief, along with Karnataka chief minister, were at the center of the controversy in the alleged mishandling of compensatory sites by MUDA. The case revolves around a 3.2-acre parcel of land gifted to Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, by her brother Mallikarjunaswamy in 2010.
After MUDA acquired the land, Parvathi reportedly sought compensation and was subsequently allocated 14 plots, which, according to opposition parties, are significantly more valuable than the original land. Critics allege the value of the scandal could range between Rs 3,000 crore and Rs 4,000 crore.
The opposition has seized on the controversy, accusing the chief minister of misconduct and calling for his resignation. Siddaramaiah, who is now facing prosecution while in office, becomes the second Karnataka chief minister to encounter such charges, following BJP’s BS Yediyurappa in 2011.
Siddaramaiah, leader of the opposition back then, was a vocal critic of then chief minister Yediyurappa, demanding his resignation under similar circumstances. Now, more than a decade later, the chief minister finds himself in a comparable position, facing mounting calls to step down amid growing political pressure.
