Siddhu’s secy sacked for corruption

Though the official memo gives no apparent reason for the dismissal, sources say it was because of his alleged links to the land scam

Siddhu's secy sacked for corruption

Though the official memo gives no apparent reason for the dismissal, sources say it was because of his alleged links to the land scam

M Venkatesh, who was associated with Siddaramaiah for over 20 years, was relieved from duties as his PA for no apparent reason, as mentioned in the official memo.

Bar bar dekho: Venkatesh owns this resto bar at Chandra Layout
besides other properties.u00a0 A copy of the sacking order.u00a0Pics / Ramesh H S

But sources said he was sacked for his involvement in the same land scam, apart from amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income.

Properties abound
While his monthly salary is around Rs 10,000 he is alleged to have gained assets worth more than 100 crore over the past five years. He owns 10 acres in Ramnagar, the assembly constituency represented by JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy before he was elected to Lok Sabha from Bangalore (Rural).

Five acres of farmland near the international airport is in his name, while he also owns a house in Chandra Layout. He also runs a bar (Chang) in Chandra Layout, and collects rent worth Rs 55,000 a month from other shops in the building. He allegedly owns other buildings in the city, and is building a commercial complex in Kanakapura.

Moneylender too
Venkatesh was allegedly running a money lending business along with his assistant Jairam, with around Rs 12 crore in circulation. A source close to Siddaramaiah said that Venkatesh used to bring money at times when the opposition leader was in need and would say that it was borrowed, and collect interest from him.

"Siddaramaiah didn't know, and would pay interest while repaying dues, which Venkatesh would pocket," said the source. Speculations were rife that Siddaramiah's son Rakesh was benefiting from some cases of de-notification, because Venkatesh was seen frequently with him. "Siddaramaiah is an honest politician and his integrity is intact, but Venkatesh was misguiding his son," said a source close to Siddaramaiah. "He came to know about this and sacked Venkatesh."

When contacted, Venkatesh said he had no clue about his sacking orders. On corruption charges, he said, "You better speak to Siddaramaiah as I don't know anything. I can only see a conspiracy angle to it." Siddaramaiah was not available for comments.

Rs 55,000 In rent per month from other properties

The counterpart

>>While Siddaramaiah sacked his PA, Siddalinga Swamy, personal assistant to the chief minister, who has the similar credentials, stays put. Swamy, who was pennyless when he joined Yeddyurappa 20 years ago, is now rumoured to be worth more than Rs 500 crore.
>>MiD DAY has documents in its possession which say Swamy owns a coffee estate worth Rs 10 crore in Hasan, where he has also built a palatial bungalow. He has farmland on the Mysore-Ooty Road, and also two sprawling houses in Mysore.
>>"Most of his assets are benami and I suspect he has a stake in the five star hotel that is coming up near Chamundi Hills in Mysore," said a Congress leader. "When Siddaramaiah has dismissed his PA, Yeddyurappa has no guts to take a similar step." Also, because the CM is very short-tempered, it is Swamy who is a regular target of his fury.

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