Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Accuses HD Kumaraswamy of Forest Land Scam

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah accuses Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy of illegally approving 550 acres of forest land. Siddaramaiah claims Kumaraswamy's signature was forged and calls for prosecution. Kumaraswamy denies allegations, citing past inquiries and court directions. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot's approval for prosecution is based on alleged hearsay.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday accused Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy of illegally approving 550 acres of forest land to an unregistered company, calling his denials a tearful charade. 'Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who illegally approved 550 acres of forest land to an unregistered company, now sheds tears, claiming, 'The signature isn't mine; it was forged.' The first chapter of your corruption saga has already been published,' Siddaramaiah posted on X.

He further questioned, 'What else is yet to come? In the MUDA alternative site allocation case, where there's neither my signature nor my note, and it didn't even happen during my tenure - yet you demand my resignation? It seems an elephant has fallen in your own backyard. Justice N Santosh Hegde's Lokayukta conducted an investigation and filed a chargesheet. Only the Governor's nod for prosecution remains.'

Siddaramaiah revealed that Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot sanctioned his prosecution in the alleged MUDA scam based on 'hearsay'. 'What are you waiting for? Narendra Modi to save you? The same party that sent its own Chief Minister to jail - do you think they'll come to your rescue? To the Governor who approved my prosecution based on hearsay, H D Kumaraswamy's mining scandal documents are now public. Perhaps you should send a copy to your superiors so they may allow you to grant permission to file chargesheet against Kumaraswamy,' he challenged. Kumaraswamy, on the other hand, refutes all allegations, citing heavily documented past investigations, exonerations, and Supreme Court decisions.

(With inputs from agencies.)