BJP MP Lahar Singh calls for accountability in Mysore Urban Development Authority alleged scandal
Oct 20, 2024
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], October 20 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Lahar Singh recently addressed allegations related to the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scandal, calling for accountability and transparency in the investigation.
He raised concerns about the involvement of Congress MP G Kumar Nayak, who was previously the Deputy Commissioner of Mysore.
Singh stated, "No, I haven't made an allegation. The allegation was made by someone else, and it is also reflected in the High Court judgement." He expressed disappointment, describing it as "very shameful" that an officer allegedly attempted to seize land belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) and transfer it to the family of the then Deputy Chief Minister.
Singh criticised the official, who had been appointed under the Dalit quota, for failing to protect the Dalit community.
"Instead of stopping them, he became involved. This is an insult to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's Constitution and a betrayal of trust," he remarked. Singh believes the officer should resign and be questioned over the matter. "I also think the ongoing Lokayukta investigation is inadequate; it should be handled by another agency," he added.
When asked if the Chief Minister should resign over the issue, Singh replied, "If the Chief Minister himself resigns and faces the investigation, it would be beneficial for the Congress party, the state's politics, and national politics." He further commented, "Such a resignation would send a positive message to the Dalit community, and Congress would also gain some relief."
In a related tweet earlier today, BJP leader Amit Malviya noted that the resignation of Mari Gowda, chairman of MUDA, had intensified political pressure.
"BJP MP Lahar Singh points to the Karnataka High Court's adverse reference to G Kumar Nayak, Congress MP from Raichur, who was then the DC of Mysore. The judgement states, 'The false and fraudulent report submitted by the then DC of Mysore Shri G Kumar Nayak, IAS, claiming he visited the site [supposedly land belonging to Shri Siddaramaiah] on 17.06.2005 before approving the conversion,'" the BJP IT Cell chief said.
The Karnataka HC judgement suggested that Nayak and other officials should be "investigated by a competent and independent agency." Malviya raised two questions: "Why is the Congress party silent on the adverse reference to their MP's role in the MUDA scam? Was he given a Congress ticket immediately after taking voluntary retirement from government service because he served his political superiors, Kharge and Siddaramaiah, while in office? Quid pro quo?"
He called on the Enforcement Directorate and Lokayukta to investigate the matter further.