BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari
New Delhi: The BJP launched a sharp attack on Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge, accusing the Kharge family of illegally acquiring government land worth more than Rs 100 crore in Karnataka through the Siddharth Vihar Trust.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi on June 24, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari alleged that the trust, which is linked to members of the Kharge family, had benefited from multiple land allotments and transfers that violated established rules and procedures.
Bhandari claimed that the Siddharth Vihar Trust comprises only members of the Kharge family, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyank Kharge, other close relatives and family members.
He alleged that the family’s political influence was used to secure valuable government land and properties across Karnataka.
“The entire Kharge family has come together and misused political power and influence to grab land meant for public purposes. Valuable government land and properties belonging to poor citizens have allegedly been transferred to the trust through questionable means,” Bhandari alleged.
The BJP outlined three major instances which it described as evidence of land-related irregularities involving the trust.
Five-acre allotment in Aerospace Park
The first allegation relates to a five-acre land parcel allotted to Siddharth Vihar Trust by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) in 2024.
According to BJP leaders, the land was allotted under the category of aerospace and defence research and development. The party questioned why industrial land meant for promoting investment and technological development was allotted to a private trust associated with a political family.
Bhandari claimed that the land currently carries an estimated market value of nearly Rs 100 crore and demanded transparency regarding the allotment process.
“The land was meant for industrial purposes and development activities. Instead, it was allotted to a private trust connected to the Congress president’s family. The public deserves answers on how such an allotment was approved,” he said.
19 acres of government land in Kalaburagi
The second allegation concerns 19 acres of government land in Kalaburagi.
The BJP alleged that government-owned land was transferred to the Siddharth Vihar Trust under circumstances that require investigation. According to Bhandari, the transfer effectively converted public property into assets linked to a private trust controlled by members of the Kharge family.
He questioned the role of government authorities in facilitating the transfer and asked Congress leaders to explain how the land changed hands.
“Congress must clarify how government land in Kalaburagi became associated with a private trust linked to a powerful political family. The people of Karnataka deserve complete transparency,” he demanded.
Alleged use of a fake seller
The third allegation relates to a land transaction in Kalaburagi that BJP leaders described as highly suspicious.
Bhandari alleged that a “fake seller” was created to facilitate the permanent transfer of a land parcel to the trust. He claimed that questions remain over the identity of the original owner and the legality of the transaction.
According to the BJP spokesperson, the matter raises serious concerns about the authenticity of documents used during the transfer process.
“The identity of the actual seller remains unclear. Such transactions warrant a thorough investigation by the concerned authorities,” he alleged.
Comparison with previous land controversies
During the press conference, BJP leaders also sought to draw parallels between the allegations against the Kharge family and previous controversies involving senior Congress leaders at the national level.
Bhandari alleged that the pattern of land acquisition mirrored allegations raised in the past against members of the Gandhi family and businessman Robert Vadra. He accused Congress leaders of using political influence to gain access to valuable land assets.
The BJP spokesperson further stated that the party would continue to release additional information and documents related to the alleged transactions in the coming days.
“This is only the beginning. We will place before the public a series of documents and facts related to how land was allegedly acquired through the Siddharth Vihar Trust. The Congress leadership must answer these questions,” he said.
