Demand for Debate on MUDA Scam: BJP Stages Overnight Protest in Karnataka Assembly

BJP MLAs, including Leader of Opposition R Ashok and Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra, spent Wednesday night in the assembly protesting and demanding a discussion on the alleged Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam.

The Karnataka BJP unit is calling for the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, accusing him of being the “father of the MUDA scam.”

“The multi-crore corruption of the Valmiki Development Corporation by the corrupt Congress government betrays the scheduled caste communities by misusing funds meant for their development,” the BJP stated on X. The protest, led by state president BY Vijayendra and Leader of Opposition R Ashok, saw BJP and JDS members of both Houses participate in an hourly sit-in satyagraha at Vidhansauda. “We demand the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the father of the MUDA scam. Our struggle will continue until justice is served to the Scheduled Tribe communities and the poor,” they added.

State BJP President Vijayendra condemned the Mysore MUDA scam and reiterated the call for Siddaramaiah’s resignation, highlighting the multi-crore corruption involving the Valmiki Development Corporation. He criticized Siddaramaiah for trying to avoid responsibility by claiming ignorance of the scam. “Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who holds the finance portfolio, says he is not responsible for the protection of Rs 187 crores of Valmiki Corporation. This is a cunning ploy to evade responsibility, which will be exposed during the investigation,” Vijayendra said.

Vijayendra accused the state government of betraying the Scheduled Castes by diverting funds meant for their welfare and questioned why the government hesitated to investigate the MUDA scam. “You are the father of this scam, having illegally acquired 14 plots in your wife’s name, defrauding the beneficiaries and the dignity of the Chief Minister’s office,” he said.

The BJP leader also criticized the state government for suppressing freedom of expression and likened their actions to the Emergency imposed by former PM Indira Gandhi in 1975. “Our struggle is against your repressive attitude, and it will continue until your government, which is trying to darken the democratic system and protect corruption, is removed from power,” he stated.

BJP leader Dr. CN Ashwath Narayan said their protest is a response to the state government’s rejection of their request for a discussion on the MUDA scam, which he claimed involved over four thousand crores and implicated the Chief Minister and his family. “By rejecting our request for discussion, they disrespected the Constitution. That’s why the BJP and JDS in the Legislative Council and Assembly are demanding the CM’s resignation and are protesting by sleeping inside the assembly,” he said.