BS Yeddyurappa questions HD Kumaraswamy on five-star rooms

Belagavi, Dec 12: In a bid to embarrass the government and chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, BS Yeddyurappa, opposition leader in the legislative assembly, on Tuesday wanted to know why the CM has permanently rented two rooms in a five-star hotel in Bengaluru. This, he said, especially when the state is struggling with a serious drought situation.

Seeking to move an adjournment motion on drought, Yeddyurappa said, “While taking oath, Kumaraswamy had said he did not want a government bungalow and will operate from his own house in JP Nagar, Bengaluru in order to cust costs. However, even as the state faces serious drought, the CM is operating out of two rooms in Taj Westend hotel. Is this what you (Kumaraswamy) meant when you decided to save the exchequer of an additional burden? I do not know who is paying for the rooms, but if it is your own funds then pick a few more rooms for your cabinet colleagues and save the exchequer more expense.”

Intervening, speaker KR Ramesh Kumar appealed to Yeddyurappa: “If you are recommending the CM pick rooms for his cabinet colleagues, please ask him to consider me as well. I would also like to have a room in Taj Westend and use it with a few of my friends for personal work.”

Yeddyurappa quoted reports of Kumaraswamy claiming he was the most accessible CM. “Now, let him explain to the people whether he is accessible at his Taj Westend rooms,” he said.

The former CM also took exception to Kumaraswamy staying at the VTU guesthouse in Belagavi for the ongoing session. “If you had wanted to meet people and be accessible, you would have stayed at the beautiful government guesthouse in the heart of the city instead of staying at the VTU campus which is 12km from the city,” Yeddyurappa said.

Comments

Add new comment

Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.

‘Have letter, next step is...’: MUDA on Siddaramaiah’s wife’s offer to return plots

News Network

October 1,2024

Mysuru: The Mysuru land authority at the centre of a financial and political storm - involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and alleged losses of ₹ 45 crore to the state - has received an offer of restitution from his wife, the urban development body's Commissioner, AN Raghunandan said.

"I am in possession of a letter written by Siddaramaiah's wife regarding her intention to return 14 plots (of land). The Chief Minister's son, Yatindra Siddaramaiah, came to our office and delivered the letter. We will take legal advice for the next step..." he told reporters in Mysuru.

Mr Raghunandan also confirmed anti-corruption officials from the city's Lokayukta branch had written seeking cooperation in its inquiry into the charges against the Chief Minister.

He said the Mysuru Urban Development Authority, or MUDA, "will cooperate with the investigation".

The Enforcement Directorate, however, have not reached out as yet, Mr Raghunandan said. The ED, a federal agency, has filed a money laundering case against Siddaramaiah.

There have also been calls for the CBI, another federal agency, to investigate charges against the Chief Minister, but that appears unlikely now given the Karnataka government has withdrawn general consent for its operations in the state. Law Minister HK Patil made the announcement last week.

He ruled out any link with demands for the Chief Minister to be investigated by the CBI, which reports to the BJP-led central government and the ruling Congress and other opposition parties have claimed is being used by that party to target rival leaders, particularly before elections.

On Monday - three days after the Lokayukta filed a case against the Chief Minister, and hours after the ED launched its probe- Siddaramaiah's wife said she had planned to give up the land earlier but was advised against it the allegations against her husband are "politically motivated".

But now, she said, she had made up her mind as "no house, plot, or wealth is more important than my husband's honor, dignity, and peace of mind". She also said the decision was hers alone; "... I am not aware of my husband's opinion on this matter, nor do I concern myself with what my son thinks".

And, in a comment seen as a calculated swipe at the opposition BJP, which is leading calls for the Chief Minister's resignation, his wife also made an emotional appeal to "all political parties and the media" to "please not drag women of political families into the controversy to settle political scores".

Investigative action against the Chief Minister follows the Karnataka High Court quashing a challenge to Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot's order sanctioning Siddaramaiah's prosecution.

Subsequently a trial court ordered framing of charges and directed the Lokayukta to complete the investigation within three months. The ED case was filed based on the Lokayukta FIR.

Siddaramaiah faces an inquiry into claims Parvathi was allotted 14 plots of land in an upmarket Mysuru area as compensation for land elsewhere - holding a far lower value - taken for infrastructure projects.

The Chief Minister has denied all charges and refused calls to resign.

He has been backed by the Congress and his deputy, DK Shivakumar, who is also the state unit boss, and also by members of his cabinet, including IT Minister Priyank Kharge. However, some within the Congress also want him to quit, such as former Assembly Speaker KB Koliwad.

"I will fight. I am not afraid of anything. We are ready to face the investigation. I will fight this legally," he said last week after the High Court had quashed his challenge to the Governor's sanction.

Comments