BENGALURU
BJP MLA S.R. Vishwanath on Sunday claimed that there is an audio recording of a person demanding ₹4 lakh and ₹3.5 lakh to construct huts illegally in Kogilu Layout, Yelahanka, amid the controversy surrounding the demolition of houses in the area.
Speaking to reporters after a fact-finding visit, Vishwanath said a BJP team inspected Fakir Colony and Wasim Layout near Kogilu Layout to ascertain facts related to the recent demolitions. “We have clear audio evidence of a person asking for money to build huts. This exposes the organised racket behind illegal constructions,” he alleged.
He said the BJP’s fact-finding report would be submitted to the party’s state president within two days. The report will include details such as land ownership, survey numbers, BBMP handover records, Google map references and other legal documents. “Our preliminary findings show that nearly 95 per cent of the houses and huts in this area were built in the last two years,” he said.
Vishwanath alleged that genuine flood victims and families whose houses were demolished along rajakaluves have not been rehabilitated, while illegal constructions were allowed for “vote-bank politics”. “This entire exercise is politically motivated. Poor people are being misled and exploited,” he charged.
He announced that the BJP would stage a large-scale protest in Kogilu on December 5, involving beneficiaries who had applied for houses under the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Development Corporation scheme. “If justice is not delivered, we will approach the court,” he said.
Demanding strict action, Vishwanath said all those involved in illegally allotting or constructing houses after collecting money—irrespective of whether they are named Wasim or Vishwanath—must be arrested. He alleged that the Congress party was shielding such elements.
“The builder linked to Wasim Layout is a local Congress leader and close to a Minister. We have audio recordings of him demanding money and even admitting that some houses were rented out,” he claimed.
The BJP delegation included State vice-president Malavika Avinash, MLAs Muniraj and K.S. Naveen, State secretary Thammesh Gowda, Bengaluru North district president S. Harish and other party leaders.
