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MUDA scam: After Siddaramaiah, Congress chief Kharge returns land allotted by Karnataka

The five-acre plot is part of a 45.94-acre area designated for the Hi-Tech Defence Aerospace Park by the KIADB.

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Days after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah decides to return a MUDA land, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and his family have chosen to return five acres of land allocated to the Siddhartha Vihar Trust, owned by the Kharge family, in the midst of an ongoing investigation into the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allocation scandal.

Originally, the land was granted to Kharge’s son, Rahul M Kharge, in the Hardware Sector of the Hi-Tech Defence and Aerospace Park in Bagalur by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB).

The five-acre plot is part of a 45.94-acre area designated for the Hi-Tech Defence Aerospace Park by the KIADB.

Meanwhile, Minister Priyank Kharge shared a letter on Sunday on X and said, “On Sep 20, 2024, the Trust has sought the cancellation of the CA site that has allotted for Skill Development.” However, he reiterated that Siddhartha Vihar Trust is a public educational, cultural, and charitable trust. He added that it is not a private or family trust, but “All institutions established are “Not For Profit”.

Furthermore, he said being a charitable trust, none of the trustees can benefit directly or indirectly from the trust’s assets and income. The Karnataka Minister said the main reason the trust wanted to set up a skill development and research centre in an industrial area was to provide industrial exposure to the students.

He further said that only an allotment letter was issued and the lease deed was not executed. The trust has not requested or received any subsidy, financial support or reduced rate of allotment for the allotted CA site, he added.

“The trust was fully eligible to apply for and receive an allotment of a CA site for an educational institution. However, any educational institution cannot function effectively while constantly facing malafide, baseless and politically motivated allegations. The trust did not wish to be drawn into long-drawn controversies which will divert attention and efforts from the primary objective of education and social service,” Priyank said.

In his letter, he said, “In light of the circumstances, the Trust wrote to the KIADB to withdrew our proposal and withdrew our request for a CA site for establishing a skill development and research centre on 20-09-2024.”

The Minister said, “The trust has been informed by the KIADB that the allotment has been cancelled by their letter dated 27-09-2024 ——— It is most unfortunate that despite the Chairman being fully qualified for the site, BJP chose to pick on him for their petty politics.”

Hitting out at the saffron party, he said a person who can’t hold a bat can become Chairman of ICC or BCCI, but a person who was conferred Agni Award from DRDO for Excellence in Self Reliance can’t build a skill development center for the youth.

The controversy arose in March 2024, when the Congress-led Karnataka government awarded the land to the Siddhartha Vihar Trust, headed by Rahul Kharge. The land was allocated to the trust under the Scheduled Caste (SC) quota. Several members of the Kharge family, including Mallikarjun Kharge, his son-in-law and Kalaburagi MP Radhakrishna, and Rahul Kharge, serve as trustees.

Activist Dinesh Kallahalli had filed a complaint with Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, alleging irregularities in the land allotment process and sought permission to prosecute Karnataka Industries Minister MB Patil through the state Lokayukta.

Minister Patil denied any wrongdoing, asserting that Rahul Kharge was a “qualified applicant” and that the allotment was made transparently through a single-window approval process.

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Lahar Singh Siroya brought the allotment to light, stating that a trust (Siddhartha Vihara Trust) managed by Mallikarjun Kharge’s family had been allocated 5 acres of KIADB land meant for civic amenities under the SC quota.

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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