MUDA ‘scam’
On Saturday, Karnataka’s Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, criticized the decision made by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to approve his prosecution in relation to the purported Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allocation scam, calling it “unconstitutional.” He stated that the decision would be challenged in court.
Siddaramaiah emphasized that the Governor’s action was not only inconsistent with the Constitution but also illegal. He declared that the entire Cabinet, the party leadership, all MLAs, MLCs, and MPs from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha stood by him.
The controversy arose after Governor Gehlot authorized the prosecution of Siddaramaiah based on a petition filed by advocate-activist T J Abraham, who accused him of irregularities in site allocation by MUDA. This decision was made despite the state Cabinet’s recommendation to withdraw the show-cause notice issued to Siddaramaiah and to dismiss the petition seeking prosecution sanction.
The Cabinet characterized the Governor’s actions as a “gross misuse of the Constitutional Office” and advised him against granting the sanction.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also denounced the Governor’s decision, labeling it an “overreach” and affirming that legal and democratic processes would safeguard the government. He stated that the government would inform the public about the situation, discuss it in the Cabinet, and take all necessary legal steps under the Constitution.
“We will get justice, we will protect this government,” Shivakumar asserted. The opposition BJP, however, used the Governor’s decision to call for Siddaramaiah’s resignation to facilitate a transparent and impartial investigation. Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra argued that the seriousness of the allegations and the purported substantial evidence required Siddaramaiah to step down to uphold the dignity of the Chief Minister’s office and ensure justice.
Siddaramaiah and other Congress leaders in Karnataka maintained that the Governor’s decision was politically motivated. They questioned the timing and rationale behind the Governor’s move, especially given the ongoing investigation by a high-level committee formed under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952, to investigate the alleged scam.
In his sanction order, Governor Gehlot defended his decision by stating that the evidence supporting the allegations against Siddaramaiah indicated the prima facie commission of offenses. He dismissed the Cabinet’s advice as “irrational” and emphasized the need for a neutral, objective, and non-partisan investigation.
“Upon reviewing the petition, the supporting evidence, and the subsequent response from Siddaramaiah, along with the Cabinet’s advice and legal opinion, it appears that there are two versions of the same set of facts,” the Governor said in his decision.
He continued, “It is imperative that a neutral, objective, and non-partisan investigation be conducted. I am prima facie satisfied that the allegations and the supporting materials indicate the commission of offenses.”
