Bengaluru, July 7 (Reporter) Union Heavy Industries and Steel Minister HD Kumaraswamy, on Sunday raised questions about Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's 2013 election affidavit, alleging that there was no mention of a land parcel gifted to Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi. The 3.16-acre land in question was allegedly gifted to Parvathi by her brother Mallikarjuna in 2005, and is presently in the eye of a storm in connection with the alleged Mysore Development Authority (Muda) site scam. Siddaramaiah has already rubbished any allegations of his involvement in any scam. According to Kumaraswamy, the parcel of land was conspicuously missing from the asset's column in Siddaramaiah’s 2013 election affidavit. Under the Representation of People’s Act, all candidates must disclose their family's assets and liabilities, and failing to do so can lead to severe repercussions, including the rejection of a candidate’s nomination. Speaking at a party core committee meeting, Kumaraswamy outlined what he called the land's "convoluted history". According to the Union Minister, the land parcel was originally owned by Jawara alias Ninga, which was notified for acquisition in 1992 and denotified in 1997-98. The land then reportedly passed into the hands of Mallikarjuna in 2004 before being transferred to Parvathi via a gift deed in 2005. “This MUDA scam is far-reaching. Siddaramaiah needs to clarify if he had declared this asset in his affidavit for the 2013 polls. We need a thorough investigation to uncover the truth behind these transactions,” Kumaraswamy asserted. Kumaraswamy hinted at the involvement of other senior Congress leaders,, and accused Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh of attempting to cover up the scandal by transporting crucial documents from Mysuru to Bengaluru. In response, senior Congress leader HA Venkatesh defended Siddaramaiah, explaining that the land was utilised by MUDA for layout development without formal acquisition. As compensation, Parvathi was allotted 38,000 square feet of developed land in 2022, an action Venkatesh insists was lawful. “It is not true that Jawara was the original owner. The land belonged to Parvathi, and the compensation she received was within the legal framework,” Venkatesh contended. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has demanded a CBI investigation into the alleged MUDA scam. “Siddaramaiah should come clean before holding the Ahinda convention in Hubbali. The recent transfer of Deputy Commissioner Dr KV Rajendra further proves the existence of the scam," Joshi claimed...////...