Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife, BM Parvathi, has made the decision to return 14 controversial plots of land allocated to her by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). In her letter addressed to the MUDA commissioner, she expressed that her husband’s honour and dignity are far more important than any property or wealth.
For the first time, Parvathi has publicly addressed the issue, detailing her decision to surrender the plots located in Mysuru’s Vijayanagar Phases 3 and 4. These plots were initially granted as compensation for land that had been illegally encroached upon in the village of Kesare. In her letter, Parvathi clarified that she had acted independently, without consulting her husband, their MLA son Yathindra Siddaramaiah, or any other family members.
“I wish to surrender and return the compensation plots by cancelling the deeds of the 14 plots executed in my favour by MUDA,” she wrote. She also requested that necessary steps be taken to officially return the land to MUDA.
In her communication, Parvathi lauded her husband’s 40-year political career, emphasising his commitment to ethics and principles. “Nothing is more important than my husband’s honour and dignity. I have never desired anything from a family that has held power for so many years,” she stated. Parvathi mentioned that she has always preferred to stay out of the limelight, aiming to ensure that her actions do not reflect poorly on her husband.
Expressing her hurt over the allegations regarding the MUDA land allotment, she clarified that the plots were a gift from her brother. Parvathi noted, “I have never desired a house, property, gold, or wealth. I am overwhelmed by the love and support the people have shown my husband, but I am deeply hurt by the allegations regarding the MUDA land allotment.”
The controversy surrounding the land allotment has drawn significant political scrutiny. The BJP has been vocal in demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter, alleging that the plots were allocated in an upscale area of Mysuru, thus having a higher property value than the original land from which they were compensated.
In a recent development, a petition was filed in the Karnataka High Court seeking a CBI investigation into alleged irregularities involving MUDA and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Amidst this, the Karnataka government opted to withdraw its general consent for the CBI to investigate cases in the state, a move perceived as an attempt to sidestep a federal investigation.
Following this, one of the petitioners, Snehamayi Krishna, escalated the issue by lodging a complaint with the Enforcement Directorate (ED). On September 30, the ED initiated an investigation against Siddaramaiah under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). His wife Parvathi, along with his brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy and Devaraju—who was involved in the land transaction—are also named in the FIR registered by the Mysuru-based Lokayukta police.
The situation escalated further when, on September 25, a special court mandated a Lokayukta police investigation into the allotment of the 14 plots, valued at approximately ₹56 crore. This order followed the Karnataka High Court’s decision on September 24, which upheld the governor’s sanction for an investigation into the alleged illegalities associated with the MUDA site allotment.
As the controversy unfolds, Parvathi’s choice to return the land raises questions about the political implications for Siddaramaiah and the Congress government in Karnataka. With the ongoing investigations and public scrutiny, the situation is likely to develop further, keeping both political analysts and citizens keenly interested in the outcomes.
The return of the plots by Parvathi is a significant move that underscores her commitment to her husband’s integrity amidst rising allegations. The unfolding legal battles and political ramifications will be pivotal in shaping the future of Siddaramaiah’s administration and the Congress party’s standing in Karnataka.