Mandya, 7 Aug

BJP and JD(S)’ clamour for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s resignation, over the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment 'scam’ continued, with their protest march entering fifth day on Wednesday.

The Opposition has stepped up its campaign against the Congress government at a time when Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot is said to be weighing options vis-a-vis the petition seeking sanction for Chief Minister's prosecution in connection with the 'scam', after his Cabinet urged him to withdraw show-cause notice to Siddaramaiah.

The week-long Bengaluru -Mysuru 'padayatre' (foot march) has sought to highlight the alleged fraudulent allotment of sites to land losers by MUDA, including to Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi.

The fifth day of the 'Mysuru Chalo' protest march began here, and is scheduled to cover a distance of 15km to reach Tubinakere.

BJP State President and MLA BY Vijayendra, JD (S) state president and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, several legislators, leaders and workers from both parties took part as the march resumed.

Addressing the gathering during the march, Ashoka said the poor and middle class have to face great difficulty to get one 30 feet by 40 feet residential site, but Siddaramaiah has secured 14 sites of 50x70 dimension from MUDA, that too at a prime locality.

Siddaramaiah is "involved in this scam at every level" and that's the reason BJP and JD(S) are protesting, he said, adding, "this fight is against Siddaramaiah's loot and to give back the sites that were taken by Siddaramaiah and his followers....this is Rs 4,000-Rs 5000 crore scam."

Kumaraswamy said Congress that came to power promising to give transparent government during the Assembly polls, indulged in loot within 24 hours of assuming office.

There was "anti-incumbency" against the Congress government within a few days after it came to power, he said, as he targeted Siddaramaiah and his government for both MUDA and Valmiki Development Corporation 'scams.'