Activists accuse JD(S), BJP leaders of involvement in Muda scam

NT Correspondent

Mysuru

Activists Snehamayi Krishna and P S Nataraj, who are fighting to expose the Muda scam, stated on Saturday that leaders from both the JD(S) and BJP are also implicated in the scandal. They affirmed their intention to take action against them as well. Speaking to reporters at a press conference, the activists clarified that they are not exclusively targeting Congress leaders but are also highlighting the involvement of JD(S) and BJP members who have allegedly obtained alternative sites under the controversial 50:50 Muda scheme. Snehamayi Krishna alleged that former MCC corporator and BJP leader M C Ramesh had illegally acquired two alternative sites measuring 60x90 feet each.

He noted that the Income Tax Department is already investigating M C Ramesh and claimed that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) would soon take up the case. Advocate Ravikumar, who is also campaigning against Muda’s irregularities, accused M C Ramesh of securing the two sites by submitting fraudulent records. According to Ravikumar, M C Ramesh falsely claimed to have lost 1.1 acres of land to Muda under the 50:50 scheme in Basavanahalli’s survey number 121. Ravikumar pointed out that the Muda scheme provides for the distribution of sites measuring 50x60 feet and 40x60 feet. However, M C Ramesh obtained two sites measuring 60x90 feet each, which was in violation of the scheme’s guidelines. He further alleged that M C Ramesh had secured the sites using a General Power of Attorney (GPA) instead of as a direct landowner, whereas Muda’s rules stipulate that only landowners are eligible to receive sites under this scheme. Additionally, Muda allocated the sites to M C Ramesh in the upscale Vijayanagar area for a mere Rs 3,000.

Ravikumar highlighted that the current market value of land in Vijayanagar stands at approximately Rs 10,000 per square foot, making the allocation highly questionable. He claimed that Muda had distributed these alternative sites to M C Ramesh two years ago.