Bengaluru, 2 Oct

Facing the Lokayukta police and ED probes on MUDA 'scam', Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Wednesday Mahatma Gandhi's life and thoughts have given him courage, strength and hope in his "current struggle."

On the 155th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on Wednesday, Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar took out a march from Gandhi Bhavan to Gandhi statue on the premises of 'Vidhana Soudha' here.

In an online post, the Chief Minister said: "In a world full of communalism, dictatorship and violence, only Mahatma Gandhi, the embodiment of truth, peace and non-violence, can lead us by the hand."

"Bapu's life and thoughts have given me courage, strength and hope even in my current struggle of facing the real test of truth. Happy Gandhi Jayanti to all the people of the country," he added without referring to the twin investigations.

The ED on Monday registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), equivalent to an FIR by police, against the Chief Minister over the alleged irregularities in allotment of 14 sites to his wife Parvathi B M by the MUDA (Mysuru Urban Development Authority).

The federal agency had also invoked relevant sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case against him.

On September 27, Lokayukta police registered an FIR against Siddaramaiah, his wife, brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy, Devaraju -- from whom Swamy purchased land and gifted it to Parvathi -- and others, following a Special Court order.

Meanwhile, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar also paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.

Wearing white attire for the event to spread awareness about Gandhi’s philosophy, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were joined by other Ministers including Law Minister HK Patil, Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar.

Carrying national flags, raising slogans "Bharat Mata Ki Jai," "Vande Mataram", scores of Congress workers also took part in the Gandhi Walk amid tight security.

On the occasion, over 500 students took oath of cleanliness through video conference during the event organised at Banquet Hall in Vidhana Soudha.

Sharing pictures on 'X', Shivakumar, who is also the KPCC President, stated, "On the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s 155th birth anniversary and 100 years since he led the Belgaum (Belagavi) Freedom Struggle, I and the Chief Minister participated in the Gandhi Walk."

The oath of truth and non-violence is always hard but its fruits are eternal. Mahatma Gandhi taught that lesson to the world, he said.

"Today, thousands of workers and leaders took steps to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi who spread the message of peace to the world," he added. -PTI