Group Urges Chief Minister to Reassign Yathindra Portfolio Over MUDA Case
A public interest group has urged the Chief Minister to reassign Yathindra's Urban Development portfolio, citing concerns over conflict of interest as the MUDA site allotment case remains under investigation.
The controversy surrounding the Mysuru Urban Development Authority site allotment case has resurfaced, with a citizens’ group urging the Karnataka government to reassign the Urban Development portfolio currently held by Minister Dr Yathindra. The group argues that the move is necessary to avoid any perception of conflict of interest while multiple legal proceedings related to the case continue.
In a letter addressed to Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, the organisation Naija Horatagarara Vedike requested that Dr Yathindra be given another ministerial portfolio with immediate effect. The group maintained that such a decision would strengthen public confidence in the fairness and transparency of the ongoing investigations.
According to the letter, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his wife Parvathi are among the accused in the MUDA alternate site allotment case. The matter is currently under investigation and is also being examined through proceedings before different legal forums, including a Lokayukta FIR, a case before the Special Court for MPs and MLAs, a petition before the Karnataka High Court and an Enforcement Directorate inquiry.
The letter, written by senior social activist HM Venkatesh on behalf of the organisation, states that allowing the son of two accused persons to oversee the Urban Development Department could create concerns about a possible conflict of interest. It argues that such a situation may lead to public perception that official powers could influence matters connected to the ongoing case, even if no wrongdoing is established.
The organisation further stated that maintaining administrative transparency and public trust should be the government’s priority while investigations continue. It appealed to the Chief Minister to assign Dr Yathindra another department that is unrelated to the issues under examination, saying such a step would help avoid unnecessary controversy and reinforce confidence in the legal process.
