Former Minister BC Patil Launches Scathing Attack on Karnataka Government's 1,000-Day Celebration
In a fiery press conference held at the BJP's district office in Haveri on Sunday, former minister BC Patil delivered a blistering critique of the state government's recent event marking 1,000 days in power. Patil dismissed the occasion as not a celebration of achievement but rather "a celebration of a string of lies", alleging that it highlighted corruption and economic bankruptcy instead of genuine development.
Allegations of Fraudulent Property Documentation
Patil asserted that the government should be providing legitimate ownership documents to individuals who have constructed houses illegally, cultivated land, or taken Bagar Hukum. However, he claimed that in reality, ownership documents were being issued to fake accounts. He pointed to specific instances in villages within Hirekerur taluk, where land and property documents were allegedly issued in the names of deceased persons. Patil demanded a thorough investigation into these matters to uncover the truth.
Furthermore, he accused government officials of exploiting beneficiaries by charging fees for issuing property and land documents, with amounts ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000. This practice, he argued, undermines the integrity of public administration and burdens citizens unfairly.
Criticism of Government Officials and Resource Misuse
Patil ridiculed the involvement of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the entire state government in performing tasks that should be handled by local revenue officials, gram panchayat presidents, members, and MLAs. He described this as an absurd overreach that detracts from efficient governance.
Adding to his allegations, Patil claimed that in the Hanagal taluk, specifically in the Havangi GP area, five buses were deployed to transport merely 40 people, with school buses being misused for this purpose. He stated that when confronted about this, the Haveri District Commissioner offered an apology. Patil alleged widespread complicity, implicating government officials, local administrative machinery, school teachers, anganwadi workers, and ASHA workers in orchestrating arrangements for the gathering.
Incomplete Infrastructure and Hasty Inaugurations
Patil also highlighted issues with infrastructure projects, citing the Rattihalli guest house as an example. He alleged that the construction work was incomplete, with approximately 75% of tasks such as flooring, ceiling, windows, doors, and painting still pending. Despite this, he claimed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah hastily inaugurated the facility during the Saturday gathering, driven by fears of the government's potential collapse.
Support from Former MLA Shivaraj Sajjanar
Echoing Patil's sentiments, former MLA Shivaraj Sajjanar provided a strong statement condemning the government's actions. He revealed that some property documents issued by the Congress government are currently under court stay, leading to disputes among families. Sajjanar accused the administration of "looting public tax money" and challenged the Chief Minister to respond if he possesses any sense of shame and dignity.
In a decisive move, Sajjanar announced plans to seek information under the Right to Information Act regarding the number of beneficiaries involved and the buses utilized during the event. This step aims to bring transparency and accountability to the allegations raised.
The accusations from BC Patil and Shivaraj Sajjanar underscore growing tensions and scrutiny over the Karnataka government's governance practices, particularly in handling property rights and public resources. As calls for investigations intensify, the political landscape in the state remains charged with controversy and demands for ethical administration.
