Page 11 - Siddaramaiah

Defamation case filed against CM Siddaramaiah over 'blackmailer' remark

Advocate-activist T J Abraham on Wednesday said he has filed a defamation suit against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in a special court here for allegedly calling him a blackmailer. He is among the petitioners who had urged Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to permit investigation against the Chief Minister in the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam. Siddaramaiah in his enthusiasm for vengeance against me made certain public statements. He called me a blackmailer and a person with bad antecedents, Abraham told PTI. You (Siddaramaiah) have taken 14 sites by creating a bogus and illegal claim and you call me a blackmailer! I have filed a defamation case against you. We will see how you will escape, he said. In the MUDA case, it is alleged that compensatory sites were allotted to Siddaramaiah's wife in an upmarket area in Mysuru, which had higher property value as compared to the location of her land which had been "acquired" by the MUDA. The MUDA had allotted

Karnataka: Cong misuses internal reservation for politics, says Vijayendra

Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra on Tuesday said that the Congress government in the state and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were not honest on internal reservation among SCs and were only trying to use the issue for politics ahead of bypolls for three Assembly segments. The Karnataka Cabinet on Monday gave its consent to provide internal reservation among Scheduled Castes (SC) and decided to constitute a commission under a retired High Court judge that will be tasked with collecting empirical data. "If at all Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was serious about internal reservation, also on the Kantharaj report (on Socio-Economic and Education Survey, popularly known as the caste census) he would have taken action long back, but Siddaramaiah and Congress party only believes in taking political advantage and creating more confusion on this particular issue," Vijayendra said in response to a question on internal reservation. Speaking to reporters here, he said, "I don't think the chief

ED undertakes fresh searches in money laundering case involving MUDA

The Enforcement Directorate undertook fresh searches on Monday in connection with the money laundering case involving the Mysuru Urban Development Authority in which it has booked Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his family and others, official sources said. About seven to eight premises in Bengaluru and Mysuru are being covered in the search, the sources said. This includes the premises of a builder in Bengaluru and some linked persons. The federal agency conducted the first round of raids in this case on October 18 when it searched the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) office in Mysuru and some other locations. It also questioned some lower-rank officials of the MUDA at its Bengaluru zonal office last week. Taking cognisance of a Lokayukta FIR, the ED has filed an enforcement case information report (ECIR) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to book the Karnataka chief minister and others. Siddaramaiah is facing Lokayukta and ED probes into alleged

MUDA 'scam' investigation: ED summons six MUDA employees for questioning

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his family have come under increased scrutiny follows allegations of corruption and land misappropriation

Karnataka CM announces Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia in Bengaluru building collapse

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday announced an ex-gratia of Rs five lakh each to the next of kin of each deceased in a building collapse here, and said the government will bear the full medical expenses of those injured. The incident, which claimed eight lives, was not due to the impact of rain, but owing to shoddy construction work, he said, adding, the building was constructed in a revenue layout unauthorisedly without taking any licence, and officials are being held responsible for it. Siddaramaiah said eight people have been rescued. Three of the six injured are in a serious condition but all of them are out of danger. Speaking to reporters after visiting the building collapse site at Babusapalya near Hennur, he said next of kin of those killed would be given an ex-gratia of Rs five lakh each -- Rs two lakh by the Labour Department and Rs three lakh by the city civic body Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). The government is also thinking about giving ..

Karnataka by-polls: Cong may announce candidates today, says Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the ruling Congress has made all necessary preparations for the November 13 Assembly by-polls in three segments in the state, and the candidates are likely to be announced later in the day. He said, while it has been decided to give Sandur ticket to Bellary MP E Tukaram's wife Annapurna, candidates for Shiggaon and Channapatna segments will be decided by the party. The last date for filing nominations is October 25, and the final date for withdrawal of papers is October 30. By-polls for Sandur, Shiggaon, and Channapatna are necessitated, as the seats fell vacant following the election of their respective representatives -- E Tukaram of Congress, former CM Basavaraj Bommai of BJP, and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy of JD(S) -- to Lok Sabha in May elections. "We have made all the preparations (for bypolls), probably candidates may be announced today. The Sandur candidate has been decided, we will give the ticket to Tukaram's wife.

Heavy rains cause waterlogging in Bengaluru; Oppn slams Siddaramaiah govt

Leader of Opposition posted a news paper report on the floods and questioned Deputy CM DK Shivakumar who is also the Bengaluru Development Minister

CBI, ED, I-T should be impartial, not in favour of one party: Karnataka CM

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said central agencies like CBI, ED and Income Tax should be impartial and not function in favour of one party. He also said that the ruling Congress was ready to face and win November 13 by-polls in three assembly segments in the state. "Nagendra (former Minister B Nagendra) has told the media that he was pressurised by the ED. He also informed me that he was pressurised to name me and D K Shivakumar (Deputy Chief Minister). No agency should work in favour of a party. Whether it is CBI or ED or Income Tax, they should function impartially," Siddaramaiah told reporters. The Chief Minister was responding to former Minister B Nagendra's allegations that he was pressurised by the ED to name him and Shivakumar in the multi-crore scam in Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation. Nagendra had, after walking out of the jail on bail on Wednesday, also charged the ED (Directorate of Enforcement) with arresting him

Siddaramaiah deeply involved in MUDA 'scam', should resign immediately: BJP

After the MUDA chairman stepped down from his post on Wednesday, the BJP demanded that Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also resign immediately as he is "deeply embroiled" in the land "scam". Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) chairman K Marigowda resigned from his post amid the row over alleged irregularities in allotment of sites to Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi B M. "MUDA chairman has tendered his resignation... I call upon Siddaramaiah that if you have the slightest morality left in you, you should step down immediately. You should not wait for today's sunset," BJP national spokesperson and MP Sambit Patra said at a press conference here. He said Marigowda's resignation and Siddaramaiah's wife "offering" to return the MUDA sites allocated to her make it clear that the chief minister is "deeply involved in the scam from head to toe". "There is no doubt about it," Patra said. Earlier in the day, Marigowda submitted his resignation to the Urban Development Department .

By-polls: K'taka Cong to send candidates' list to high command in 2-3 days

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday said the ruling Congress will send a final report on probable candidates for the November 13 by-polls for three Assembly seats in the state to the party high command in two-three days. The preparations for the by-polls will formally begin on Thursday, Shivakumar, who is also Congress state president, said. "We will do our job. Today we have some programme. Let it get over. From tomorrow, we will take it up (poll preparations). We have already held our local meetings. In two-three days we will send a final report on candidates (to the Congress high command)," he said in response to a question. Speaking to reporters here, he said that he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will hold discussions on the by-polls and candidates on Wednesday. Noting that Congress general secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal, who heads the Parliaments' Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is visiting the city to attend a PAC related meeting, Shivakumar

Karnataka BJP MPs betrayed people of the state, says CM Siddaramaiah

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday hit out at the BJP MPs from Karnataka for not raising their voice against the injustice to the state in tax devolution. He appealed to people to rise against the 'injustice' to the state. Addressing reporters, Siddaramaiah said the state has received Rs 6,498 crore while Uttar Pradesh got Rs 31,987 crore, marking a huge difference in the tax devolution between the two states. "People need to raise their voice against the injustice to Karnataka. The BJP leaders supporting the Centre are betraying the people of the state, be it Pralhad Joshi or anyone else," he said. "So many MPs have gone from Karnataka. They need to raise their voice, which they have not done." According to the CM, the state has incurred a loss of Rs 60,000 crore in tax devolution in five years. Asked about the next move of the government on this, Siddaramaiah said he would discuss it with his cabinet colleagues. In a statement on this issue on Saturday, Siddaramaiah questio

Karnataka BJP chief predicts fast-paced developments, change of CM soon

Karnataka BJP President B Y Vijayendra on Thursday predicted fast-paced political developments in the state in the next few days, including change of Chief Minister over the MUDA 'scam'. "Lot of political developments are certainly taking place in the state. In the next few days the kind of fast paced political developments will take place, which both you (media) and the people of the state will see," he told reporters here. Asked about his recent comments regarding change of Chief Minister after Dasara festival, he said: "I have said that fast paced political developments will take place, it includes everything." Vijayendra on Sunday claimed that, according to his information, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is facing a probe in the MUDA (Mysuru Urban Development Authority) site allotment case, may resign after Dasara. A few Ministers in the Siddaramaiah Cabinet had recently held closed-door meetings, fueling speculation about leadership change. On several leaders in the BJP "no

MUDA scam: RTI activist lodges FIR against K'taka minister, SP Lokayukta

RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna on Monday lodged a complaint against Karnataka Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh for allegedly shifting crucial files and documents related to MUDA 'scam' involving CM Siddaramaiah. In his complaint submitted to the Director General of Police Alok Mohan, he also accused the former Superintendent of Police of Lokayukta in Mysuru Sujeeth of "conniving" with the Minister in shifting the files in July this year, officials said. A complaint copy was also mailed to the DGP on Sunday seeking investigation into the matter. In the complaint, he alleged that the then Mysuru Lokayukta SP Sujeeth had allegedly alerted the Minister when the MUDA scam surfaced following which the Urban Development Minister flew to Mysuru via helicopter and took away the crucial files and documents related to the scam. Sujeeth had allegedly helped the Minister shift these files. The Lokayukta police has registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Siddaramaiah and ot

K'taka CM Siddaramaiah asks people to make Kannada their business language

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday gave a clarion call to the people of Karnataka to make Kannada their 'business language'. Speaking at an event to celebrate 50 years of naming the erstwhile Mysore state as Karnataka, the CM appealed to people to make Karnataka a Kannada state. "All the people living here are Kannadigas. No matter what your home language is, the business language' should be Kannada. Kannada should be the main and first language in the state," he said. "Learn every language, but Kannada should be the official language in the state," he added. Dwelling on the Gokak agitation, which was related to granting Kannada the first language status in the state, the chief minister said the 'Kannada Kavalu Samiti' was formed to create an atmosphere for Kannada to prosper in Karnataka. Later, the committee became the Kannada Development Authority, he explained. Siddaramaiah asked people to respect all languages, learn as many languages as possible but never be generous to

MUDA case: I have faith in judiciary, truth will triumph, says Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, facing probe into the MUDA 'scam' case, on Thursday asserted that he is conducting himself in accordance with his conscience and confident that truth would prevail as he once again rejected opposition calls for his scalp. "Satyameva Jayate," he declared as he spoke at the inaugural ceremony of the ten-day Dasara celebrations on the premises of temple of Goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of Mysuru and its royals, atop the Chamundi Hills here. Amid demands by the BJP and JD(S) for his resignation over the MUDA (Mysuru Urban Development Authority) 'scam', the Chief Minister emphasised that so long as he has the blessings of the people and Chamundeshwari, "no one can do anything." Siddaramaiah received support from unexpected quarters in the MUDA case as senior JD(S) leader and MLA G T Devegowda decried calls for his resignation. Reiterating that he has done no wrong, the Chief Minister said had he done anything wrong, it would not have

MUDA 'scam': Mahatma Gandhi's life has given me courage, says Siddaramaiah

Facing the Lokayukta police and ED probes on MUDA 'scam', Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Wednesday Mahatma Gandhi's life and thoughts have given him courage, strength and hope in his "current struggle." On the 155th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on Wednesday, Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar took out a march from Gandhi Bhavan to Gandhi statue on the premises of 'Vidhana Soudha' here. In an online post, the Chief Minister said: "In a world full of communalism, dictatorship and violence, only Mahatma Gandhi, the embodiment of truth, peace and non-violence, can lead us by the hand." "Bapu's life and thoughts have given me courage, strength and hope even in my current struggle of facing the real test of truth. Happy Gandhi Jayanti to all the people of the country," he added without referring to the twin investigations. The ED on Monday registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), equivalent to an FIR by police, against the Chief .

MUDA scam: Karnataka CM questions ED for money laundering case against him

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday questioned the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) slapping a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case against him, maintaining that the MUDA issue does not attract its provisions. I don't know on what grounds it's a money laundering case. Probably you too feel the same. According to me, it does not attract the money laundering case because compensatory sites were given. So, how is it a money laundering case? Siddaramaiah told reporters here. On Monday, the ED registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), equivalent to an FIR by police, against the Chief Minister over the alleged irregularities in allotment of 14 sites to his wife by the MUDA (Mysuru Urban Development Authority). The ED has invoked relevant sections of the PMLA against the Chief Minister and others in the ECIR. The Chief Minister also ruled out the possibility of his resignation over the MUDA case. I work with conscience. So there is no need for me to

MUDA takes back plots of CM's wife after she conveys decision to return

The Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) on Tuesday decided to take back 14 plots allotted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi B M, following her decision to relinquish their ownership and possession. The MUDA has ordered to cancel the sale deed of these plots. Hours after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) booked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in a money laundering case, his wife on Monday wrote to MUDA conveying her decision to relinquish the ownership and possession of 14 plots stating that no site, home, asset and wealth is bigger for her than her husband's respect, dignity, honour and peace of mind. "Smt. Parvathi's son Dr Yathindra, a MLC, had submitted a letter....we have gone through the provisions in our act. There are provisions in our act to take it when given (back) voluntarily," MUDA Commissioner A N Raghunandan said. Addressing reporters here, he said, "After consulting panel advocates and the legal officer, and after determining that everything is correct,

Muda 'scam' row: Siddaramaiah 'surprised' by wife's move to return plots

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah expressed surprise at his wife Parvathi's decision to surrender 14 plots amid the Muda land allotment row. The BJP has labelled the decision as an 'admission of guilt'

MUDA scam: CM's wife offers to return 14 sites, BJP says 'admitting' guilt

In a significant development, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi has written to the MUDA Commissioner expressing her willingness to return the 14 sites in the Mysuru upmarket. The letter by Parvathi was circulated late-night among the reporters by the CMO on the official Whatsapp group. Significantly, the Enforcement Directorate officials on Monday said the agency has booked Siddaramaiah, his wife and some others in a money laundering case linked to the MUDA land allotment case, taking cognisance of a recent state Lokayukta FIR. A special court exclusively to deal with criminal cases related to former and elected MPs/MLAs had directed the Lokayukta police in Mysuru to initiate an investigation into the matter. The BJP termed Parvathi's letter to MUDA Commissioner as "admission of guilt" and demanded the Karnataka CM's resignation. In her letter to the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) Commissioner, Parvathi said she was allotted the 14 alternative sites i