BENGALURU, JULY 12 :  Political tensions in Karnataka soared on Friday as BJP leaders, including state president Vijayendra Yediyurappa, were detained en route to Mysuru for a planned protest against the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam.

The controversy involves allegations of fraudulent land allotments that have implicated Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his wife.

The alleged MUDA scam revolves around accusations that the Mysuru Urban Development Authority engaged in irregular site allotments, leading to substantial financial losses for land losers.

Central to the controversy is the allegation that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, benefitted from these transactions, having received plots under a contentious 50:50 land allotment scheme. Under this scheme, developed land is given to property losers instead of undeveloped land, raising concerns about corruption and favouritism.

On Friday, Vijayendra and several other BJP leaders were detained while heading to Mysuru to stage a protest against the alleged “fraudulent activities” of MUDA.

The leaders were detained on the Mysuru Road, preventing them from participating in the rally and laying siege to the MUDA office in the Chief Minister’s home district.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has vehemently denied the allegations, accusing the BJP of orchestrating a conspiracy against him. He claims that he is being targeted because of his background and his position as a second-term Chief Minister.
Siddaramaiah insists that the charges are politically motivated and has refused to concede to the BJP’s demands for a CBI probe into the matter.

The BJP, however, remains steadfast in its accusations. Party leader CT Ravi has criticised Siddaramaiah’s defence as “dishonest”, accusing him of trying to deflect attention from the corruption charges. Ravi has called for a comprehensive investigation into the scam, asserting that the Chief Minister’s conduct suggests an attempt to protect personal interests. (UNI)