Bengaluru: The Karnataka Congress government, led by Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC president D.K. Shivakumar, finds itself embroiled in a fresh controversy after documents revealed sustained pressure on government officers to sanction valuable public lands for the construction of Congress Bhavans across the state. Critics allege the move is not only a blatant misuse of administrative machinery but also a dangerous precedent where public interest is being sacrificed to serve the ruling party’s political agenda.
Pressure on officials
According to official correspondence accessed by Organiser Weekly Shivakumar, in his capacity as president of the Congress Bhavan Trust, wrote to Municipal Administration Minister Rahim Khan on September 1, 2025, demanding immediate approval for 25 pending land allotments across districts. The tone of the letter, sources say, left little room for bureaucratic discretion. It clearly instructed that proposals already lying with the department must be pushed to the Cabinet without delay.
Following this, Minister Rahim Khan directed the Urban Development Department’s Principal Secretary to “take immediate steps” to process the allotments. Senior officials privately admit they are under “extraordinary political pressure” to comply, despite statutory obstacles.
“This is nothing short of arm-twisting,” said a retired IAS officer familiar with the developments. “Department rules clearly state that civic amenity lands are to be used for public purposes like community halls, schools, hospitals, and worker facilities. Diverting them for party offices is not only unlawful but also unethical. Yet, officers are being compelled to sign off.”
Loss to the exchequer
Financial documents highlight the scale of the controversy. In Koppal, a site valued at Rs 1.31 crore was allotted to the Congress Bhavan Trust at a mere Rs 13.19 lakh barely five percent of the guideline value. The Finance Department had strongly objected, warning that the decision would result in a direct loss of over Rs 1.18 crore to the state exchequer. The note of dissent was ignored, and the Cabinet approved the allotment.
Similarly, in Tumakuru, 2 acres of prime urban land, estimated to be worth several crores, were handed over to the Trust without public auction. The land, under litigation in court, was diverted despite legal complications. In Chikkaballapur, Hubballi-Dharwad, Mysuru, and Hassan too, civic amenity plots reserved for cremation grounds, hostels for backward class students, and safai karamchari quarters were identified for transfer to the Trust.
Conflict of interest
Political observers say the issue represents a clear conflict of interest. The Congress Bhavan Trust is chaired by D.K. Shivakumar himself, who is also the Deputy CM and head of KPCC. By using his government position to facilitate land transfers for his party’s benefit, Shivakumar is accused of crossing the line between party and state.
“The Congress is treating Karnataka’s civic resources as its private property,” charged BJP leader R. Ashoka. “They are intimidating officers to bend rules. This is loot in daylight, no different from what they accused BJP of when government lands were allotted to Sangh Parivar organisations.”
Legal experts argue the matter could attract judicial scrutiny. “Since these allotments violate the Karnataka Urban Development Authority Act, affected parties can challenge them in High Court,” said senior advocate S. Raghavan.
Hypocrisy charge
The scandal has also revived memories of Congress’s own criticisms against BJP governments in the past. Congress leaders had repeatedly slammed the BJP for allocating lands at concessional rates to organizations linked with the RSS and other Sangh affiliates. Now, with Congress resorting to the same tactics, critics say its credibility is at stake.
“Earlier they accused BJP of misusing government lands for partisan purposes. Now, Congress is copying the same playbook. Where is the difference? This is pure hypocrisy,” remarked BJP leader S Karunakar Khasale..
Civil society groups have expressed anger, pointing out that lands meant for public use are being diverted for political gain. Activists in Tumakuru and Koppal have already staged protests, alleging that vital lands for schools and community amenities are being stolen in the name of party offices.
“What message does it send? That poor students and sanitation workers don’t deserve land, but a party office does?” questioned activist Savita Reddy from Hassan. “This is not just corruption, it is moral
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