Amidst the ongoing investigations over the alleged MUDA ‘scam’ case, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has loudly asserted his commitment to honest politics. Addressing a public meeting in his Assembly constituency of Varuna, he said despite being the Chief Minister, he does not own a house and accused opposition parties of making unfounded allegations against him.
Siddaramaiah said the opposition, particularly the BJP, cannot digest someijuvi of a backward-class leader returning to the office of the Chief Minister for a second successive term. Currently, he is being investigated by the Lokayukta and the Enforcement Directorate for alleged malpractices in the allotment of 14 sites to his wife by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority. His wife and brother-in-law are among others arrayed as accused in the case.
“Should a chief minister live in a rented house? In somebody else’s property? You are my masters and owners, and you blessed me,” he said in defense against the charges.
He further declared that he had only one property under construction at Kuvempu Road in Mysuru, against which there was a delay over the last three years. “See how I’m being blamed for undermining my reputation. You give me the strength and power, and only you can take it away,” he added.
Reiterating his stand on integrity in politics, he said he did not focus on the Varuna constituency but on uplifting the entire state by trying to help the poor without caste or religious discrimination. Taking potshots at the opposition for failing to digest his leadership, he said the BJP is not willing to digest a backward-class leader like him who works to establish social justice among poorer sections of society.
