MUDA case | Siddaramaiah: Won't quit based on 'false accusations'

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday (October 5) reiterated his decision to not resign, saying he won’t step down based on the “false accusations” of the Opposition parties.

“If the Opposition demands (my) resignation based on false accusations, should I resign? We will reply to the false charges. We will tell the truth to the people,” Siddaramaiah told reporters in Raichur.

Also read: I have faith in judiciary, truth will always triumph, says Siddaramaiah

Asked about political activities within Congress with Dalit and tribal leaders were meeting after the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment case came to light, Siddaramaiah said people were speculating unnecessarily.

Don’t speculate, says CM

“Ministers will discuss but should you speculate? People speculate when state Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi meets the AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge or Science and Technology Minister NS Boseraju meets some minister,” he said.

Also watch: Parvathi Siddaramaiah's return of MUDA sites – a political masterstroke?

“In the past too such meetings took place and are still going on but why such speculations are gaining credence?” Siddaramaiah asked.

On senior JD(S) MLA GT Deve Gowda backing him during the inauguration of Dasara celebrations in Mysuru, the chief minister said the former had only explained the truth.

“GT Deve Gowda is the core committee chairperson of the JD(S) and one of the members in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). He only said the truth. What is wrong in that?” Siddaramaiah asked.

CM's wife returns sites

The Opposition wants Siddaramaiah to resign after a special court ordered the Lokayukta police on September 25 to investigate him in the MUDA site allotment case.

The Lokayukta police on September 27 registered an FIR against Siddaramaiah, his wife Parvathi, brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy, Devaraju – from whom Mallikarjuna Swamy purchased land and gifted it to Parvathi – and others.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered a complaint against the chief minister over the alleged irregularities in the allotment of 14 sites to his wife by the MUDA.

The MUDA on Tuesday decided to take back the 14 plots allotted to Siddaramaiah's wife, following her decision to relinquish their ownership and possession.