Synopsis
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut criticized the BJP for targeting Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah in the MUDA scam, urging them to first investigate former CM Yediyurappa’s corruption charges. The Karnataka government has withdrawn consent for a CBI probe, citing concerns over misuse of power and bias.
PTIShiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Friday lashed out at the Bhartiya Janata party government for targeting the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the MUDA scam, and asked the party to first probe corruption charges against former Karanataka CM Yediyurappa.
Shiv Sena (UBT), an INDIA alliance partner of the Congress, came out in support of Siddaramaiah alleging that the Governor is being “pressurized” by the BJP in relation to the MUDA scam case.
Targeting the BJP, Raut said, “The party in which the corrupt from all over the country get royal shelter wants to prosecute the CM of Karnataka because it has a Congress government, it is pressuring the Governor for the same. You jailed the CMs of Delhi and Jharkhand. The people snatched your majority, and you are still not learning. What kind of mischief is this?”
Raut further pointed out at the pending corruption cases against Former Chief Minister of Karnataka, Yediyurappa, must be first looked upon by the BJP.
“Why was Yediyurappa released? He has all kinds of corruption cases against him. First, they should act against Yediyurappa and then speak of justice or injustice with Siddaramaiah,” Raut said.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka government on Thursday withdrew open consent to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a probe in the state pertaining to the MUDA scam, involving Siddaramaiah.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that they don’t want the Central Bureau of Investigation to misuse its power.
“It is not just Karnataka, the entire opposition parties across the country have taken this decision, in view of that, the Karnataka government has also taken this decision. We don’t want the CBI to misuse its power,” Shivakumar told ANI.
Karnataka Law Minister HK Patil termed the Central Bureau of Investigation “biased” and said that the government has taken the decision to prevent the CBI from taking the wrong path.
“We are withdrawing open consent for CBI investigation in the state. We are expressing our concerns about the misuse of the CBI. In all the cases we have referred to the CBI, they have not filed charge sheets, leaving many cases pending. They have also refused to investigate several cases we have sent. There are numerous such instances. They are biased. That’s why we are taking the decision. It’s not because of the MUDA case. We have taken this decision to control them (CBI) from taking the wrong path,” Patil said, addressing a press conference.
On Wednesday, the Special Court in Bengaluru passed an order directing Karnataka Lokyukta to conduct an investigation against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on the allegation of illegalities in the allotment of 14 sites worth Rs 56 crore to his wife Parvathi by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
