An analysis of official documents by The Indian Express reveals that asset affidavits filed by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the last three assembly elections contain multiple inconsistencies regarding a 3.16-acre parcel of “agricultural land” in Mysore, which was “gifted” to his wife 14 years ago.

This land, gifted to B M Parvati Siddaramaiah by her brother in 2010, has sparked a political controversy. The BJP plans protests in Mysore, Siddaramaiah’s home district, on July 12. Both the BJP and JD(S) have raised questions about the land’s transfer in 2021 to the state in exchange for 14 housing plots from the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) under a controversial “50:50” alternate site scheme.

Siddaramaiah has rejected these allegations, noting that the land exchange occurred under BJP governance and that his Congress government has halted the scheme. He also expressed willingness to return the Mysore plots if compensated Rs 62 crore at market rate for his wife’s land acquired by MUDA.

The Indian Express found discrepancies in Siddaramaiah’s affidavits from 2013, 2018, and 2023 compared to public land records regarding the 3.16-acre agricultural land in Kesare village. Specifically:

• 2013: Siddaramaiah’s affidavit showed no agricultural land owned by his wife, despite land records indicating a 2010 gift deed.
• 2018: His affidavit acknowledged the land gift, valuing it at Rs 25 lakh.
• 2023: The affidavit listed MUDA’s allocation of 37,190.09 sq ft of land in exchange for the Kesare village land, valued at Rs 8.33 crore.

Despite these claims, the state’s Record for Rights, Tenancy, and Crops still lists the 3.16 acres under B M Parvati Siddaramaiah’s name for 2023-24. This inconsistency is part of a complaint filed by activist T J Abraham with the Chief Electoral Officer, alleging a “false affidavit” by Siddaramaiah before the 2013 state polls.

Further allegations include irregularities in how the land was acquired by Siddaramaiah’s brother-in-law in 2004 before being gifted in 2010. A Mysore-based activist’s police complaint has led to an inquiry by the state urban development department.

Opposition parties, including state BJP president B Y Vijayendra and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, have criticized Siddaramaiah, citing a violation of the election code of conduct and the Representation of People Act.

In response to these allegations and the activist’s complaint, Siddaramaiah stated he would respond to any election commission notice as required by law and attributed the allegations to political jealousy. He emphasized the need for an inquiry into MUDA’s activities and affirmed his government’s efforts to prevent illegalities in the scheme.