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 informed the media, in Bengaluru, that the CM had directed him to resign. “Besides, my health is not good. I suffered stroke twice. Thus, I am not able to attend to work properly,” he said.

Marigowda clarified that his relationship with Siddaramaiah was good as he has been the CM’s follower since the past four decades.

Friction

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 in the city, on September 27.

Congress workers had gathered in large numbers at the airport, to extend support to Siddaramaiah, who was being targeted by the opposition parties regarding the alleged MUDA scam. 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. The Congress workers were angry because the MUDA issue came to the fore due to Marigowda’s letter to then DC K V Rajendra in June.

Earlier issue

He had also served as president of Mysuru Zilla Panchayat, earlier. Earlier, in 2016, Marigowda and two of his aides were in the news for intimidating then Mysuru DC C Shikha on July 3. Criminal cases were filed against him at Nazarbad Police Station then.

It can be recalled that the Lokayukta Police are investigating the MUDA 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.

Alternative land

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.

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.