Exterior of the Karnataka Assembly
DHARWAD: In a scathing attack on the Congress Government, Arvind Bellad, leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, accused the current administration of being the most corrupt in the state’s recent history. Over the past fortnight, one scandal after another has rocked the Congress government, with Bellad alleging that these revelations are merely the tip of the iceberg.
Among the latest controversies is the land deal involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is accused of selling valuable state land to the Jindal Steel Works (JSW) company at a fraction of its market value. The scandal has raised serious questions about the government’s integrity and the motivations behind such deals.
Bellad did not mince words, suggesting that the CM MUDA scandal, which had already placed Siddaramaiah under immense pressure, could now force him out of office. “Before Siddaramaiah leaves the chair, he has pulled another scandal by giving valuable land to the Jindal company at a low price,” Bellad said, referring to the latest controversy. He pointed out that even HK Patil, a senior Congress leader who had initially opposed the deal, had publicly expressed his concerns.
The land in question, a 3,666-acre plot in Sandur, in Bellary district was reportedly sold to JSW for just Rs 1.2 lakh per acre, a price that Bellad described as “scandalously low.” He criticised Siddaramaiah for treating state property as his “father’s house property,” implying that the CM had no right to sell public land at such a low price. Bellad accused the government of “looting the land by selling it at a low price and entering into an internal agreement.”
Bellad further alleged that the decision to sell the land at such a discounted rate was politically motivated, possibly as a strategy for Siddaramaiah to secure his position as Chief Minister again. “Did you sell the land at a low price to become CM again?” Bellad asked rhetorically, vowing that he and his party would fight the decision both in court and through public campaigns.
The land deal has a complex history, with the original acquisition dating back to when the central government earmarked the land for a steel company. However, when the factory closed, the land reverted to the state, which then attempted to sell it. Under the Yeddyurappa government, the sale to JSW was proposed, but widespread opposition, including a public interest litigation (PIL), led to the decision being postponed. The court eventually ordered that the land should not be sold at such a low price.
Despite this, the current Congress government under Siddaramaiah moved forward with the sale, ignoring previous court rulings and public opposition. Bellad noted that 954 acres of the land belonged to Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) but were still offered to JSW as part of the deal. He questioned the legality of the sale and hinted at the possibility of an internal agreement or deal between Congress leaders and JSW.
Bellad vowed to continue fighting the land deal, which he views as yet another example of Congress’s “looting” of state resources. He expressed disbelief that such a large and valuable plot of land could be sold for such a low price, especially after previous legal battles had established that the land should be sold at market value.
“There is no doubt that there was a deal when thousands of acres were offered to be sold while not even an acre of valuable land was available for such a price,” Bellad warned, signaling his intent to challenge the sale in court and beyond.
Pro people organisations and CPM alleged that Farmers who gave land to the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) in 1971-72 for industrial purposes did not receive adequate compensation, nor were they provided with job opportunities. The CPM criticized the government, alleging that it is losing Rs 10,950 crore in revenue by selling the land at a low price.
This land, located in Kurekuppa, Torangallu, Yarrabanahalli, and Musenayakana villages, was acquired by KIADB five decades ago at Rs 900 per acre. Now, the government is selling the same land for Rs 1.25 lakh to Rs1.50 lakh per acre, despite the market value in the area ranging from Rs 50 lakh to Rs1.25 crore per acre. The cost of developed land in the region is at least Rs 3 crore per acre. Locals describe Kurekuppa, a fertile area along a raised canal on the right bank of the Tungabhadra River, as prime agricultural land.
The Jana Sangram Parishad has demanded that the 3,677 acres of land leased to Jindal Company should remain on a lease basis and called for transparency regarding why the company requires such a large amount of land. They have also called for a land audit.
In 2019, the organisation led a march from Vaddu village in Torangal to Bellary, demanding a land audit. The movement was spearheaded by SR Hiremath of the Samaj Parivartana Community.
Initially, 10,000 acres of agricultural land were allotted to the Jindal Company. Over time, additional land has been provided to the company, raising concerns about the mismatch between the company’s production capacity, job creation, and the amount of land it has acquired. Journalist Chandrakanta Vaddu told that there are allegations of the company encroaching on government land.
Jindal, which started a steel plant in Torangal in 1994, claims an annual production capacity of 12 million tonnes. Currently, the company is involved in steel production, power generation, cement, paint, and asphalt manufacturing.
The series of scandals plaguing the Congress government, particularly the land deal with JSW, has created a political firestorm in Karnataka. With accusations of corruption and backroom deals, the state’s leadership is under intense scrutiny. As Arvind Bellad and the opposition gear up for a legal and political battle, the future of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s tenure hangs in the balance.
The coming weeks will likely see heightened political tensions and further revelations as both sides prepare to fight over what has become one of the most contentious issues in Karnataka’s recent political history.
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