Union Minister V Somanna has launched a sharp attack on the Congress-led Karnataka government, questioning the rationale behind its promise to build new houses for those affected by the removal of illegal settlements on encroached land. The minister's comments have ignited a fresh political controversy in the state.
Minister Questions Government's "Ulterior Motive"
Addressing media persons in Bengaluru on December 31, 2025, Somanna pointedly asked what the state government's hidden agenda was. He highlighted the apparent contradiction in the state's actions. "After clearly stating that we have cleared houses on encroached land, what is the ulterior motive behind promising to build new houses for the 'affected' by the New Year?" Somanna demanded.
The minister's remarks directly target Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his administration, accusing them of political posturing. The promise of new houses, according to Somanna, undermines the very purpose of the anti-encroachment drive that was undertaken to reclaim public or government land.
The Core of the Controversy
The dispute centers on a sequence of events where the state authorities reportedly demolished structures built on land not legally owned by the settlers. Following this action, the state government, led by Siddaramaiah, announced a rehabilitation plan. This plan includes a commitment to construct and provide new houses to those displaced by the demolition drives, with a deadline set for the New Year.
Somanna, a prominent BJP leader from Karnataka, frames this promise as a misguided incentive. He argues that it could be perceived as rewarding encroachment, potentially setting a problematic precedent for future land management and law enforcement in the state.
Political Repercussions and Public Discourse
This criticism is set to intensify the ongoing political tussle between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP in Karnataka. The issue of land encroachment and rehabilitation is highly sensitive, touching upon themes of livelihood, legality, and social welfare.
Somanna's public questioning puts the Siddaramaiah government on the defensive, forcing it to clarify the policy's details and its legal and ethical foundations. The government is yet to issue a formal response to the Union Minister's allegations. The development ensures that urban land rights and government policy will remain a key topic of public debate as the new year begins.
The coming days will reveal whether the state government proceeds with its promised housing scheme and how it counters the criticism of having an "ulterior motive" in its approach to handling illegal settlements.
