Bharatiya Janata Party members on Friday staged a dharna in the Legislative Assembly demanding a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into alleged corruption pertaining to the re-do order on de-notification of 541 acres in Arkavati Layout of the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA). There was chaos from both the BJP and Congress members, followed by adjournment of the House for the day.
Leader of the Opposition Jagadish Shettar had raised the issue under an adjournment motion, but he was allowed to speak under Rule 69 by Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah agreed to entrust the probe either to the CBI or the Criminal Investigation Department while maintaining that his government had not de-notified even one gunta of land.
Mr. Siddaramaiah said that whatever schemes were revised by the BDA after the Congress came to power was on the Karnataka High Court orders. While the BJP leader alleged that 541 acres were de-notified by the government, under pressure by the Congress high command, Mr. Siddaramaiah clarified saying he did not reject the BDA resolution on the issue because of the Assembly elections.
The Chief Minister said preliminary notification was issued for 983 acres out of the 3,839 acres, but final notification was issued for 1,089 acres and 8,813 sites were formed. Then 5,217 sites were allotted and registered after which the single judge of the court quashed the entire proceedings. The court battles by the landowners culminated in the contempt petition. But, Mr. Shettar demanded why the government had failed to implement the court guidelines.
For transparencyMr. Siddaramaiah alleged that 198.20 acres of land was de-notified by the then Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa without even a resolution by the BDA. He maintained that his government was for transparency and honest governance.
Later, speaking to presspersons, the BJP leaders, including Mr. Shettar, alleged that Mr. Siddaramaiah had passed the buck on the BDA. They said that bringing up the name of Mr. Yeddyurappa spoke of the government’s malafide intention.
