BENGALURU: Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashok, has demanded a clarification from the Indian National Congress-led state government, alleging that residents at Kogilu Cross in Bengaluru were found to be Bangladeshi nationals.
Addressing reporters in the city on February 18, Ashok claimed that during his earlier visit to Kogilu Cross, it had been “established” that several residents were from Bangladesh. He alleged that despite this, the Congress government had announced housing benefits for them, purportedly following remarks by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
“At that time, the government had declared that houses would be provided to everyone there. The Housing Minister even went a step further, saying houses would be allotted the very next day. Now it has come to light that many among them are fraudulent,” Ashok alleged.
Political war of words intensifies
Ashok said Congress leaders had earlier dismissed the BJP’s claims as baseless accusations. “They said we were making false charges. Now it stands exposed,” he said, adding that the government must conduct a thorough verification drive to identify illegal immigrants.
He further alleged that the housing announcement was politically motivated, aimed at appeasing Muslim voters with an eye on electoral prospects beyond Karnataka. “If the BJP had not agitated, land worth Rs 300 crore would have gone to Bangladeshi residents. Our struggle has yielded results,” he asserted.
The controversy comes amid heightened political tensions between the BJP and the ruling Congress in Karnataka.
Allegations linked to larger controversies
Ashok also alleged that an official who had “helped” the Congress in the alleged ₹3,000 crore MUDA scam had been rewarded with a plum posting. Although he did not name the officer, he claimed the appointment was meant to shield the government and weaken the investigation. The Congress has rejected these allegations as politically motivated.
Governments claim turned out to be false
Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan had recently clarified that, according to the information available to him, no Bangladeshi nationals were residing in the Kogilu layout area. “We will provide houses only to those who have valid documents. There is no question of giving houses to outsiders,” he had said at a press conference.
The minister added that Aadhaar cards and other identification documents of residents were being verified. “The Chief Minister has directed that only genuine Karnataka residents should be considered. After document verification, houses will be allotted strictly to eligible beneficiaries,” he said.
He further stated that among 185 houses surveyed, about 20 occupants were from districts such as Raichur and Kalaburagi, and not from Bangladesh. According to him, officials of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) have been instructed by the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister to prepare a verified list of beneficiaries.
Responding to questions about alleged intervention by Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal, Zameer said, “We are a national party. Our leaders discuss developments across states. There is nothing wrong in that. Ultimately, only those with proper documents will get houses.”
Demand for official clarification
Ashok has insisted that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah must issue a detailed clarification in the Assembly and place all verification records in the public domain. As the issue escalates, the Kogilu Cross housing row is set to become another flashpoint in Karnataka’s already charged political landscape, with both sides trading accusations over illegal immigration, welfare schemes, and alleged appeasement politics.
