Union Minister Pralhad Joshi Accuses Karnataka CM of Fund Misuse and Scams

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi launched an attack on Karnataka's CM Siddaramaiah, alleging fund misuse and involvement in multiple scams, and reiterated the BJP's demand for the CM's resignation and a CBI investigation.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has leveled serious allegations against the Karnataka government and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, accusing them of fund misuse and involvement in various scams. Joshi pressed for the Chief Minister's resignation and a thorough investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

"The Karnataka government has misappropriated SC/ST funds. Rs 189 crores were supposed to be transferred, but only Rs 89 crores were initially transferred, marking a significant scam. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted, but the accused ministers who resigned under pressure were not investigated. When the Enforcement Directorate (ED) stepped in, an FIR was filed against them," Joshi stated while addressing ANI on Thursday. Additionally, he implicated the Chief Minister in the Valmiki Board scam.

Joshi further alleged irregularities in the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam, claiming that valuable sites were allotted in the CM's wife's name. "In 2013, he did not declare this land in his affidavit. In 2018, he valued it at Rs 25 lakh, and in 2023, its value rose to Rs 25 crore," he said. "We demand the CM's resignation and a CBI investigation into the entire episode," Joshi added.

Amid these allegations, BJP MLAs conducted an overnight sit-in protest at the Vidhan Soudha in Bengaluru, demanding Siddaramaiah's resignation. Deputy CM DK Shivakumar responded, saying the government does not wish to interfere with ongoing investigations.

"Multiple scams occurred during the BJP regime, and investigations are ongoing. We intended to address these issues in the assembly, but they wanted to block us. The CM provided a detailed written response about the scams and ongoing investigations by the SIT, ED, and CBI," Shivakumar told reporters on Thursday. Higher Education Minister MC Sudhakar dismissed the BJP's demands for the CM's resignation over the MUDA scam, calling them "ridiculous" and a mere political tactic.