BJP and JD(S) MLAs Protest Overnight in Karnataka Assembly Over Alleged MUDA Scam

GG News Bureau
Bengaluru, 25th July. In Karnataka, BJP and JD(S) MLAs staged an overnight protest in the assembly on Wednesday, demanding a discussion on the alleged Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam. The protest, which also extended to the Legislative Council, involved demonstrations with placards and “bhajans” against the Congress government, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader for blocking a discussion on the issue.

Key figures in the protest included Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka and BJP state President B.Y. Vijayendra, who spent the night in the assembly premises. The protest was triggered by Speaker Khader’s rejection of the opposition’s adjournment motion notice related to the MUDA scam. Several legislators, including Leader of Opposition in the Vidhan Sabha Chalavadi Narayanaswamy and BJP leader C.T. Ravi, participated in the protest.

A video from the protest showed MLAs sleeping inside the Karnataka Assembly and singing devotional songs as part of their night-long dharna against alleged corruption. The BJP unit in Karnataka has been vocally demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, accusing him of being the “father of the MUDA scam.”

State BJP President Vijayendra criticized the alleged scam and called for Siddaramaiah’s resignation. He condemned the Congress government’s handling of the situation, alleging significant corruption related to the Mysore MUDA scam and the Valmiki Development Corporation. Vijayendra also accused MLA B. Nagendra, who is under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), of misappropriating funds intended for Scheduled Tribes’ welfare.

BJP MLA Mahesh Tenginakai stated that the protest would continue until the government agrees to a discussion on the scam. MLA Basanagouda R. Patil accused the Siddaramaiah government of overseeing a ₹4,000 crore scam involving land acquisition and plot allotments. He also criticized the “adjustment politics” prevalent in Karnataka over the past decade.

The controversy involves allegations that Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, received compensatory plots in a more valuable area than her acquired land. Social activist Snehamayi Krishna has filed a complaint accusing Siddaramaiah, his family, and others of forgery and corrupt practices involving MUDA. The BJP has called for a CBI investigation into the alleged scam, estimating the total corruption could exceed ₹5,000 crore.