Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and his son, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge, are facing mounting scrutiny amid allegations of a land scam involving the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB). The BJP has called for a CBI probe and demanded the resignation of Priyank Kharge as Karnataka’s cabinet minister.
Allegations of Misuse and Nepotism
On Sunday, BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member Lahar Singh Siroya raised concerns over the alleged allocation of KIADB land to a trust managed by the Kharge family. Siroya questioned the trust’s eligibility for the land, asking, “When did they become aerospace entrepreneurs?” He suggested that the land allocation might involve misuse of power, nepotism, and conflict of interest.
Chalavadi T Narayanaswamy, Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, accused the Kharges of criminal breach of trust towards fellow Schedule Caste entrepreneurs.
New Developments and BJP’s Demands
Adding to the controversy, BJP MLC Pratapsimha Nayak has called for the resignation of Priyank Kharge. Speaking to reporters in Mangaluru on August 28, Nayak criticized Kharge for allegedly influencing the government to allocate a Civic Amenity (CA) site to the Siddhartha Vihar Trust, which is managed by Mallikarjun Kharge and other family members. Nayak suggested that similar to the demand for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s resignation over the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land allocation controversy, Priyank Kharge should also step down.
Nayak argued that the swift allocation of land to the Siddhartha Vihar Trust, which typically takes months, indicates undue influence by Kharge. He claimed that the trust received the land at a price significantly below market value. A complaint has been filed with Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot by Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, who has also questioned why the land was not allocated to other needy Dalits instead.
BJP’s Broader Allegations
At a press conference, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia accused the Congress party of systemic corruption, stating, “There is a consistency in the Congress’ acts of corruption. Their new slogan seems to be ‘wherever we go, we will do corruption.’ It’s not an exaggeration to say that the Congress has become synonymous with corruption.”
Bhatia specifically highlighted the allocation of five acres of land to the Kharge family trust, alleging that it was granted under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s administration by bypassing established rules. He claimed that other companies and organizations had applied for the land, but it was awarded to the Kharge family trust in violation of procedural norms.
Congress’s Defense
In response to the allegations, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah defended the land allotment, asserting that it was conducted legally. Priyank Kharge, Minister for Electronics, IT/BT, Rural Development, and Panchayat Raj, also addressed the controversy. He described the plot as a Civic Amenity (CA) site rather than an industrial plot and emphasized that the trust has been operational for over two decades, focusing on educational institutions.
Priyank Kharge criticized the BJP for politicizing the issue and accused BJP MP Lahar Singh Siroya of seeking attention by targeting his family. “The BJP can say what they want. But they have to tell the people how is it illegal and what is illegal,” he said.
Conclusion
The ongoing controversy underscores the escalating political tensions in Karnataka, with the BJP alleging corruption and the Congress defending its actions. The demand for a CBI probe and potential resignations, coupled with broader allegations of corruption within the Congress, are key issues in this evolving situation. As political figures and parties navigate these allegations, the implications for Karnataka’s political landscape remain significant.