Congress Allotted 24 Civic Sites for Party Offices in Karnataka, BJP Cries Foul
In a controversial move, the Karnataka government has allotted two dozen civic amenity (CA) sites across various urban local bodies to the Congress Bhavan Trust for constructing party offices at district and taluk levels. Data from municipal administrations and the urban development department reveals that these allocations involve plots valued at significant sums, igniting a political firestorm with the BJP accusing the ruling party of impropriety.
Details of the Allotments and Political Targets
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who also serves as the state Congress president, has set an ambitious target of building 100 Congress Bhavans statewide. He had planned to lay foundation stones for several of these structures later this year to mark his six-year anniversary as KPCC president. Of the 24 sites, the municipal administration department allotted 12 plots with an estimated value exceeding Rs 5 crore, while the urban development department allocated another 12 plots worth more than Rs 12 crore, bringing the total estimated value to over Rs 17 crore.
BJP Allegations and Criticism
The BJP has strongly criticized these allotments, alleging that the Congress party acquired properties worth approximately Rs 40 crore for a mere Rs 2 crore across 31 locations, including these 24 sites. Opposition leader in the legislative council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, accused the government of violating regulations by allocating CA sites for party offices. He demanded that the allotments be reclaimed and warned that the BJP would launch protests if the government failed to withdraw them. Narayanaswamy further claimed that officials had stated there was no provision for such allocations, yet cabinet approval was obtained regardless.
Shivakumar's Defense and Counter-Allegations
In response, Deputy CM Shivakumar defended the allotments, stating that Congress is using government land legally. He explained that the initiative to build 100 Congress Bhavans is intended to commemorate the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi's presidency of the Congress party in Belagavi. Shivakumar emphasized that only 5,000 to 10,000 square feet of land is being allocated per building. He accused the BJP of hypocrisy, citing instances from their tenure, such as the allotment of land to Chanakya University at reduced rates and the alleged misuse of CSR funds. Shivakumar also questioned how the RSS office was constructed without formal land allotment and highlighted cases of public parks being converted for private use, asserting that critics have no moral standing to lecture his party.
Additional Political Repercussions
The controversy has extended to other ministers, with Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge facing allegations after his department allotted a plot to the Congress party. Kharge countered by questioning the previous government's allotment of large tracts of land near Devanahalli to a university established just two years prior. Shivakumar reiterated that all allotments were made in accordance with rules and eligibility criteria, challenging opponents to seek legal recourse if they dispute the actions.
