NEW DELHI: BJP MLAs, including leader of opposition R Ashok and BJP Karnataka president BY Vijayendra, have been protesting inside the Karnataka Assembly since Wednesday night by sleeping inside the House.
They are demanding a discussion on the alleged scam in Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) and are calling for the resignation of chief minister Siddaramaiah, who they claim is involved in the scandal.
The BJP has labeled Siddaramaiah as the “father of the MUDA scam,” accusing him of malfeasance. They are particularly concerned about what they allege to be a multi-crore corruption issue within the Valmiki Development Corporation.
The BJP claims that funds meant for the development of Scheduled Caste (SC) communities have been misused for other purposes.
The protest has garnered attention on social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), where the BJP Karnataka account shared, “The multi-crore corruption of the Valmiki Development Corporation of the corrupt Congress government betrays the scheduled caste communities by using the money meant for the development of SC communities for other purposes. Under the leadership of the state president Shri @BYVijayendra and the leader of the opposition Shri @RAshokaBJP, an hourly sit-in satyagraha was started at Vidhansauda with BJP and JDS members of both Houses.”
“We demand the resignation of the chief minister @siddaramaiah, the father of the Muda scam. BJP’s struggle will continue until the Scheduled Tribe communities and the poor get justice. Members of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council including BJP and JDS parties, including Leader of Opposition in Vidhan Sabha Mr. @NswamyChalavadi, former National General Secretaries Mr. @CTRavi_BJP, participated in the protest,” the state BJP added.
State party president Vijayendra has vehemently condemned the alleged MUDA scam and sought the chief minister’s resignation.
“We demand the resignation of the corrupt chief minister, condemn the Mysore Muda scam in which Siddaramaiah is involved, and demand the resignation of the chief minister. An hour-long sit-in satyagraha has been started in the Vidhan Soudha with BJP and JDS members of both houses against the zero-development Congress government, including the multi-crore corruption of the Valmiki Development Corporation,” Vijayendra posted on X.
Vijayendra further elaborated on the nature of the corruption allegations, stating, “After robbing 187 crores of Maharshi Valmiki Nigam, which was meant for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes, MLA B Nagendra, who has already been caught by the ED, is standing in the queue and knocking on the door of the jail.”
He also criticized CM Siddaramaiah for allegedly trying to shirk responsibility regarding the Valmiki Development Corporation scam.
“Chief minister Siddaramaiah, who holds the finance portfolio, is saying that he is not responsible for the protection of Rs 187 crores of Valmiki Corporation, and he knows nothing about this scam. It is a cunning idea to escape from responsibility, which you will get a proper answer to in the course of the investigation,” Vijayendra stated.
“You and your government are traitors to the scheduled castes, as you used thousands of crores of rupees, which were supposed to be used only for the welfare of the scheduled castes for other purposes. The scheduled communities will teach you a lesson,” the BJP leader wrote on X.
Continuing his attack, Vijayendra questioned the government’s reluctance to investigate the alleged MUDA scam. “Why do you hesitate to investigate the illegal plot scam in which more than 5000 plots worth crores of rupees have been given away to the powerful, land grabbers, and influential people and not to those who have been waiting for decades to realize their lifelong dream of having a roof in their home district, Mysore?”
“You are the father of this scam, as you have illegally acquired 14 plots of land in the name of your wife, defrauded the family of the real benefit, and defrauded the dignity and honour of the position of the chief minister. It is a shame that you are justifying yourself with corruption, wearing the crown of nepotism,” he added.
Vijayendra also accused the state government of suppressing the right to freedom of expression. “You are suppressing the right to freedom of expression by not allowing us to fight against your wrongdoings in a democratic way. The speaker dancing to your tune is a black spot in the legislative system,” he said.
Highlighting the emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975, Vijayendra said, “It seems you are going to re-enact the dark context of the emergency in the 70s. Our struggle is not only against your repressive attitude; our struggle will not stop until the government under your leadership, which is trying to darken the democratic system and is protecting corruption, is removed from power.”
BJP leader Dr CN Ashwath Narayan also voiced his concerns about the scandal, accusing the state government of corruption and constitutional disrespect. “What happened in MUDA, where more than four thousand crore scams happened, CM and his family are also involved in this. When we asked for discussion, by rejecting it, they disrespected the constitution. That’s why the BJP and JDS in the Legislative Council and Assembly are demanding the CM’s resignation and discussion, and letting the people know about the MUDA scam. We are protesting by sleeping inside the assembly,” he said.
The ongoing protest and accusations underline the intense political climate in Karnataka as BJP MLAs demand accountability and action regarding the allegations of large-scale corruption. The outcome remains to be seen as the protests continue within the legislative assembly.