Bengaluru, amid opposition allegations of cover-up and manipulation of documents, Karnataka Home Minister G Paramaeshwara on Thursday said the alleged deletion of a line with bleach in a 2014 letter written by the chief minister's wife , Siddaramaiah, B M Parvathi, to Mysuru Urban Development Authority. (MUDA) will be investigated, if necessary.
On July 14, the Congress government constituted a single-member inquiry commission under former High Court judge P N Desai to probe MUDA's alternative site allotment "scam".
"There is a need to investigate it. I don't know. They (opposition) have made a statement. The SIT or the investigation agency will investigate it if necessary," Parameshwara told reporters, in response to a question.
In the letter, Parvathi had sought an alternative plot of land instead of her 3.16 acres on which MUDA had formed a layout.
The opposition BJP and JD(S) claimed that bleach was used to erase a line in which Parvathi specifically sought alternative land in the posh Vijayanagar layout.
Since the allegations against him emerged, Siddaramaiah, denying any wrongdoing, has repeatedly maintained that his wife did not seek alternative plots in any specific locality.
"Desai commission has started its work, in case anyone gets such information, be it from media or public, he can tell it before the commission instead of making public statements and creating confusion," Parameshwara added.
On August 16, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot granted sanction for the prosecution of Siddaramaiah in connection with the "scam", dealing a major jolt to the nearly 15-month-old Congress government.
Parameshwara responded to a question about Gehlot using an armored car for the first time on Wednesday since he assumed office in 2021 and about beefing up security for him, amid rising tensions between the ruling Congress and the Governor's office.
"We don't know what the threat is to the Governor, we don't know who informed him about the perceived threat. He has sought security, it has been given to him, to which he is entitled," he said.
Further pointing out that the BJP is protesting for Siddarmaiah's resignation, the Minister said that they have the right to protest but there is no question of the Chief Minister resigning and there is no need to do so.
On the Lokayukta's Special Investigation Team seeking judicial sanction by the Governor against JD(S) leader and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, he said it was because "illegalities have occurred". "If (Lokayukta's action) is considered illegal, nothing can be said."
To a question about the BJP and the JD(S), alleging that the government was trying to "safeguard" the CM, he said: "Why should the CM be safeguarded? Is he not sure? He is very sure. What do you think?" has gone to You say it is not safe? If we hold a meeting, it is alleged that attempts are being made to safeguard the CM.”
"At most we could make a resolution in a meeting of the Congress legislature and say that we all support the CM. In the cabinet we have said that we all support the CM. What is wrong with that?" Parameshwara added.
On July 14, the Congress government constituted a single-member inquiry commission under former High Court judge P N Desai to probe MUDA's alternative site allotment "scam".
"There is a need to investigate it. I don't know. They (opposition) have made a statement. The SIT or the investigation agency will investigate it if necessary," Parameshwara told reporters, in response to a question.
In the letter, Parvathi had sought an alternative plot of land instead of her 3.16 acres on which MUDA had formed a layout.
The opposition BJP and JD(S) claimed that bleach was used to erase a line in which Parvathi specifically sought alternative land in the posh Vijayanagar layout.
Since the allegations against him emerged, Siddaramaiah, denying any wrongdoing, has repeatedly maintained that his wife did not seek alternative plots in any specific locality.
"Desai commission has started its work, in case anyone gets such information, be it from media or public, he can tell it before the commission instead of making public statements and creating confusion," Parameshwara added.
On August 16, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot granted sanction for the prosecution of Siddaramaiah in connection with the "scam", dealing a major jolt to the nearly 15-month-old Congress government.
Parameshwara responded to a question about Gehlot using an armored car for the first time on Wednesday since he assumed office in 2021 and about beefing up security for him, amid rising tensions between the ruling Congress and the Governor's office.
"We don't know what the threat is to the Governor, we don't know who informed him about the perceived threat. He has sought security, it has been given to him, to which he is entitled," he said.
Further pointing out that the BJP is protesting for Siddarmaiah's resignation, the Minister said that they have the right to protest but there is no question of the Chief Minister resigning and there is no need to do so.
On the Lokayukta's Special Investigation Team seeking judicial sanction by the Governor against JD(S) leader and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, he said it was because "illegalities have occurred". "If (Lokayukta's action) is considered illegal, nothing can be said."
To a question about the BJP and the JD(S), alleging that the government was trying to "safeguard" the CM, he said: "Why should the CM be safeguarded? Is he not sure? He is very sure. What do you think?" has gone to You say it is not safe? If we hold a meeting, it is alleged that attempts are being made to safeguard the CM.”
"At most we could make a resolution in a meeting of the Congress legislature and say that we all support the CM. In the cabinet we have said that we all support the CM. What is wrong with that?" Parameshwara added.
