'Not worried or tense': Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah dismisses opposition claim, says he committed no wrong

The Karnataka High Court on Monday extended till September nine the interim stay on trial court proceedings against the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the MUDA case.

Mysuru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said he is "not worried or tense" as claimed by opposition leaders in the wake of Governor's sanction for his prosecution in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment issue and he has not committed any wrong.

Adding that the opposition leaders are worried about their "lies against him not turning true, he said, "Because I am going to Chamundi Hill to attend the meeting of Sri Chamundeshwari Temple Development Authority, I am visiting the temple also. There is nothing special in it".

Cabinet to decide on action against accused in Covid fund misappropriation: CM

Siddaramaiah, who offered prayers to Goddess Sri Chamundeshwari Devi at the temple atop the Chamundi Hill in Mysuru on Tuesday morning, said that the first information report submitted by an inquiry commission, probing the alleged irregularities in the Covid-19 pandemic management, during the BJP State government, would be placed before the Cabinet meeting.

Speaking to media persons, near his residence at Sharadadevi Nagar in Mysuru, he said action would be taken against those involved in the alleged misappropriation of the funds based on the Cabinet's decision.

When asked about former health minister Dr K Sudhakar stating that the probe related to Covid is politically motivated and they have got a false report, Siddaramaiah said, "The content of the report is yet to be disclosed. Without knowing the contents, how is Sudhakar commenting on it? Is he feeling guilty?"

When asked if Rs 7,000 crore is misappropriated in the alleged Covid scam, he said, "I have not seen the report yet".

On the suspension of ex-commissioner of MUDA G T Dinesh Kumar in connection with the alleged scam, he said, "Urban Development department has suspended him".

To a question on why only Dinesh Kumar has been suspended when there are allegations against another ex-commissioner of MUDA D B Natesh also, Siddaramaiah said, "Based on the report of the commission probing the MUDA issue action will be taken against those who have erred".

The recent technical committee report on the alleged MUDA issue, highlights that as per KUDA (Allotment of sites in lieu of compensation for the land acquired) Rules, 2009, which came in to force on July 30, 2009, the sites could be distributed on 50:50 sharing basis only through lottery on the newly developed areas and only on the same land, where the sites are developed. Based on this report, ex-commissioner of MUDA is suspended. When asked about this, the CM said, "I am not aware of what is there in the recent technical committee report".

On the statement of Chairman of Karnataka Administrative Reforms R V Deshpande's on Sunday that Siddaramaiah would continue as CM for the full term and he would become CM if Siddaramaiah permits, the CM said, "It is the MLAs of the party and the party high command who decide it".

He also promised to look into the issue of salary not being paid to Anganwadi workers from three months.

Stay against formation of Chamundeshwari temple authority vacated: CM

He added that a meeting of Sri Chamundeshwari Temple Development Authority was held on Tuesday based on the court's decision.

The stay against the formation of the authority was vacated on August 22. The Authority's meeting was held for the first time after it was formed, he said.

When asked about the statement of Mysore-Kodagu MP and scion of the erstwhile royal family Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja (YKC) Wadiyar that the meeting of the authority was illegal, Siddaramaiah said, "A committee of the temple was there earlier also. Its members were appointed by the government then also. We are following the court's directions".

Mysore-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja (YKC) Wadiyar had earlier alleged that the meeting of Sri Chamundeshwari Temple Development Authority, chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiwah, on Tuesday, was illegal.

"The stay order, brought by the erstwhile royal family against the formation of the authority, has been extended till September 5. It is a contempt of court to hold the meeting when the stay order is in force. I did not attend the meeting. I am not sure on what basis the CM is telling that the stay order has been vacated," he said.

Wadiyar said, "Our beliefs and traditions are affected with the formation of the authority. Yuduvamshis were the patrons/promoters of this temple. We will never give up our right on it. In order to check our hold on it, the authority has been formed. The funds of the temple treasure box/hundi of a respective temple should be used for the development of the respective temple only".