Bengaluru: The controversy surrounding the demolition of illegal huts and houses in Kogilu Layout has escalated further, with BJP MLA S R Vishwanath launching a scathing attack on the Congress-led state government and accusing it of appeasement politics. Vishwanath warned that if houses are allotted to ineligible beneficiaries, the matter will be challenged in court and taken to the Governor.
Speaking to the media, Vishwanath said the government cannot distribute houses arbitrarily under political pressure. “If the government goes ahead and gives houses to people from other countries or to those who are not eligible, we will question it in court. We will also submit a representation to the Hon’ble Governor,” he said.
Questioning the government’s preparedness, the MLA dismissed claims that houses could be allotted immediately. “Are they planning to distribute houses tomorrow itself? That is not possible. They may just be making statements for the sake of it. Anyone claiming to have lived here for five years must submit documentary proof. The government itself has asked for 18 different documents. There is no special category that allows bypassing rules,” he asserted.
Vishwanath accused the Congress of double standards on citizenship and rehabilitation. “When Hindus, Christians and Sikhs who came from Pakistan or Bangladesh are struggling on the streets, no government has given them houses. When it comes to granting citizenship, the same Congress and Left parties oppose it strongly. Then what is the urgency now to provide houses to people who have come from other countries?” he asked.
He further alleged financial irregularities and injustice to genuine beneficiaries. According to Vishwanath, people who are legally eligible for housing schemes are required to pay nearly Rs 10.5 lakh, either through bank loans or personal resources. “But here, the government is saying it will give Rs 5 lakh from BBMP funds, Rs 2.5 lakh from the Minority Welfare Department and provide houses by collecting just Rs 2.5 lakh from beneficiaries. If this becomes the model, everyone will expect houses at Rs 2.5 lakh,” he warned.
The MLA said around one lakh houses are being constructed under various schemes, including nearly 45,000 houses in and around Bengaluru. “Genuine beneficiaries are paying money, but in this case, people will not pay anything beyond Rs 2.5 lakh. This will become a huge embarrassment for the government and will set a dangerous precedent,” he said, adding that the BJP has already begun collecting documents to challenge the process legally.
Vishwanath alleged that the entire episode was part of minority vote-bank appeasement. “This is a continuation of appeasement politics. Elections are taking place in Kerala, and to please minority voters, Congress and the Left are sacrificing Karnataka’s interests,” he alleged. He reiterated that the BJP would fight the issue in court, approach the Governor, and also launch protests at the local level if necessary.
Making serious allegations, Vishwanath claimed that illegal huts and houses had been constructed in phases over the last two years on BBMP land adjacent to a village. “Local Congress-linked minority leaders promised migrants and locals that they would get houses and collected money from them. Houses were built and then rented out, with monthly rent being collected. These were not self-built shelters by the poor; it was an organised operation to earn rental income,” he alleged.
He clarified that the demolition was carried out lawfully. “Government officials issued notices and demolished the illegal structures strictly as per rules. Just two days after the demolition, a statement from the Kerala Chief Minister triggered reactions from Congress high command leaders, national leaders and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala and K.C. Venugopal,” he said.
