MUDA chief K Marigowda resigns amid row over land allotment irregularities in Karnataka, cites 'health reasons'

Mysuru: K Marigowda, the chairman of Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), tendered his resignation on Wednesday, citing health reasons and directions of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Marigowda, who was perceived to be a close confidant of the CM till recently, met Siddaramaiah on Wednesday morning, before submitting his resignation letter to Principal Secretary for Urban Development, in Bengaluru.

Marigowda was not available for a comment, but, he has informed the media in Bengaluru that the CM had directed him to resign. “Besides, my health is not good. I suffered stroke twice and thus, I am not able to attend to work properly,” he said.

It can be recalled that Marigowda had been mobbed by Congress leaders and members on the premises of Mysuru Airport at Mandakalli, when Siddaramaiah arrived on September 27.

The Congress workers had gathered in large numbers there to extend support to Siddaramaiah. They tried to gherao Marigowda, alleging that he is responsible for the CM's plight. Although he tried to explain, they did not listen to him, and asked him to leave. He had to leave the place as pressure mounted. He had also served as president of Mysuru Zilla Panchayat, earlier.

Lokayukta Police are investigating the case, in Mysuru, based on an FIR filed against Siddaramaiah, his wife B M Parvathi, brother-in-law B M Mallikarjuna Swmay and J Devaraju on September 27. On September 25, a special court in Bengaluru for cases involving elected representatives directed the Lokayukta Police to initiate an investigation against Siddaramaiah and others on the basis of a complaint filed by Mysuru-based RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna.

It can noted that 3.16 acres of land in Kesare (survey number 464), in Mysuru taluk, was gifted by Mallikarjuna Swamy to Parvathi. Parvathi had sought alternative lands, for the said Kesare land, that was developed by MUDA, without acquiring it. Thus, she got 14 sites in Third and Fourth Stage of Vijayanagar.

The Lokayukta Police formed four special teams, on September 28. An inspection of the original land of Parvathi in Kesare and 14 alternative sites in Vijayanagar was held later, in the presence of the petitioner. Mallikarjuna Swmay and Devaraju were inquired on October 10.

An Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) was filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), against Siddaramaiah and others on September 30, based on the Lokayukta FIR.

Later, Parvathi appealed to MUDA Commissioner to take back the 14 sites. The process to take them back started on October 1, as the MUDA Commissioner received the letter of Parvathi through her son MLC Dr Yathindra. The process was completed on October 3. Lokayukta Police are further investigating the case.