Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Faces Money Laundering Allegations Amid Political Tensions

The Enforcement Directorate has registered a case against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, alleging money laundering linked to the Mysuru Urban Development Authority. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh defended Siddaramaiah, stating he will be proved innocent. The BJP has called for Siddaramaiah's resignation.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday initiated an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) in an alleged money laundering case against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. This is related to the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), sources confirmed. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh defended Siddaramaiah, asserting his impending innocence.

Jairam Ramesh remarked, 'It is no secret that the ED has become a tool for the non-biological Prime Minister to harass political opponents. In May 2023, the people of Karnataka rejected him, yet he cannot forget that humiliation. The Congress firmly believes that he and his ED will soon be fully exposed. We have nothing to fear. The Karnataka Chief Minister will be proved innocent.'

Earlier on September 27, the Lokayukta Police filed an FIR against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and others concerning an alleged MUDA land allotment scam. The FIR, registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, names Siddaramaiah, his wife, brother-in-law, and others as accused. The BJP demands the Chief Minister's resignation and an investigation by the ED and CBI.

Allegations suggest that MUDA illegally allotted 14 prime sites to Siddaramaiah's wife in Mysuru city. In response, Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi claimed the court has named Siddaramaiah as the primary accused in the scam. Despite this, CM Siddaramaiah has quashed all resignation demands, countering with names from opposition parties who should resign first over other issues.

(With inputs from agencies.)