BJP staged a protest in Kogilu against Karnataka government’s housing plan for evicted residents, alleging illegal migrants received benefits
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“Congress is betraying the state. Instead of helping our own poor and homeless citizens, the government is turning a blind eye to them while favouring illegal migrants from other states.” R. Ashoka, BJP leader
Bengaluru
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday staged a protest in Kogilu against the Karnataka government’s decision to provide houses to people who lost their dwellings during a recent eviction drive in the area.
The protest, held near the Country Club on Bagalur Main Road under the slogan “Save Kogilu, Remove Illegal Immigrants”, was led by BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashoka, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, along with several party MLAs and MLCs.
Addressing reporters, Ashoka said the agitation was aimed at protecting Karnataka’s land resources, which he asserted should be reserved exclusively for the people of the state. He alleged that the police prevented BJP workers from reaching the protest site, stopping them nearly three kilometres away, and termed the action unfair.
Ashoka accused the Congress government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, of misusing land for political gains. “Karnataka has limited land, and it belongs to the people of the state, not to any individual leader,” he said, adding that Congress leaders should offer their own land if they wished to support housing for the evicted families.
Vijayendra questioned the government’s move to provide housing after initially demolishing allegedly illegal structures, calling it a reversal under political pressure. He also alleged that houses were being allotted to illegal migrants and claimed the decision had raised serious public concerns about governance in the state.
He further alleged misuse of public funds, pointing out that nearly 38 lakh poor people had applied for housing but received no allotments in the last two-and-a-half years. The BJP leaders said the party would approach the court if necessary.
Earlier, Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh said only 90 evicted families were eligible for compensatory housing, rejecting claims of a larger allotment.
