Hubballi: A significant political storm is brewing in Hubballi as the Congress party faces serious allegations of unlawfully occupying the old Janata Dal (JDU) office located on Lamington Road, a prime property valued at over Rs 50 crore. In a provocative move, Congress leaders have declared the site as their new party office, an act that has not only raised eyebrows but has also sparked heated debates among various political factions in the region.
On February 9, the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) made headlines when they prominently displayed a signboard emblazoned with images of party leaders and held a ceremonial puja at the disputed site. These actions have led to accusations of overreach, with local JDU leaders and other opposition groups questioning the legitimacy of Congress’s claims.
The history of this contentious property adds layers of complexity to the current situation. Originally sold to the Congress party in 1959, the site was later transformed into a JDU office during the tenure of former Chief Minister SR Bommai. With Congress now asserting its control over the property, the long-standing dispute regarding ownership has flared up once again, with legal battles emerging from the shadows of this political warfare.
At the center of the controversy is KPCC Secretary Rajat Ullagaddi Math, the son-in-law of Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar. He has been reported to take possession of the site without gaining clear consensus from other stakeholders. Congress asserts, “We performed puja in our own office,” framing the site as an integral part of their historical legacy. The party claims that the land was acquired by Channabasappa Ambali in 1956 for the KPCC, thus validating their right to reclaim it. “Previously, JDU had illegally occupied this land. Our name is now registered in the records, and we will build a Congress office here,” proclaimed party MLAs, confidently asserting their claim.
The property has been the subject of prolonged legal disputes, particularly between the previous JDU leadership and the current JDS party. While these legal battles appeared to have been settled in 2017, Congress has recently revived its claim with newfound vigor. Over the last three months, Congress has lobbied the Deputy Director of Land Records in Dharwad, contending that the property rightfully belongs to them. On January 24, a ruling emerged from the Deputy Director stating that the land does not belong to JDU but rather is the property of Congress.
This ruling facilitated Congress’s swift move to have their name formally registered in the land records, enabling their immediate occupation of the property. However, JDU leaders have vehemently contested this claim. “This property is ours,” they assert, vowing to explore legal avenues to reclaim their rights. Meanwhile, frustrated JDS workers have reported Congress for allegedly encroaching upon their land, escalating tensions further.
JDS claims ownership
According to allegations from the BJP Congress leaders have illegally occupied the land with the intention of establishing a party office. The BJP leaders have claimed that the land, which is valued at over Rs 50 crore, has been taken over by Congress leaders without proper authorization. They further allege that the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has erected a board on the land, featuring a photo of a prominent Congress leader, and performed a religious ceremony (puja) to lay claim to the property.
This is not the first time the land has been at the center of political disputes. Historical records show that the land was originally sold in the name of the Congress party back in 1959. However, during the tenure of former Chief Minister S.R. Bommai, the land was repurposed and converted into an office for the Janata Dal (United) . Over time, various political parties have made competing claims to the land, and now, the Congress is making a bid to reclaim it as its own.
Union Minister Kumara Swamy’s Allegations
Union minister H D Kumara Swamy has alleged that congress trying to grab the land using official machinery. Speaking to reporters at the Hubballi airport, Kumaraswamy stated that he is currently gathering opinions from local JDS leaders regarding Congress’s alleged takeover of the disputed site. He remarked, “Such acts of aggression by the Congress are not new, and it is troubling to see them continue down this path.”
Kumaraswamy emphasised the necessity of thorough examination of the original documents related to the property. “It is prudent to respond only after obtaining proper records. We must ascertain the truth through appropriate documentation,” he stated, asserting that clarity is needed on the ownership of the disputed land.
The Union Minister did not hold back in his criticism of the Congress party. “They have taken over this contentious site through intimidation. With their arrogance stemming from being in power in the state, Congress has exploited local authorities to seize this property. Local Congress leaders do not even have the decency to conduct a proper review of the relevant documents,” he added, launching a firm attack on the integrity of the Congress’s claim.
