Karnataka Congress Leaders Respond to Kerala CM's Criticism Over Eviction Drive
Political Tensions Rise Over Bengaluru Evictions
New Delhi/Bengaluru: The Congress party leaders in Karnataka have strongly countered Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's remarks regarding the recent eviction of minorities in Bengaluru, asserting that they cannot permit illegal settlements in the city. They urged the Kerala leader to concentrate on issues within his own state.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah defended the eviction operation at Fakir Colony, emphasizing its necessity to address unauthorized occupation of government land. His deputy, D K Shivakumar, echoed this sentiment, advising Vijayan to refrain from meddling in Karnataka's matters.
Vijayan had criticized the eviction, labeling it as 'bulldozer action' in a Facebook post, expressing his dismay over the demolition of structures in minority neighborhoods, which he described as 'shocking and painful.'
Siddaramaiah explained that since 2019, individuals had been living illegally on a five-acre site intended for solid waste management. He stated, 'There is no safety there. Officials issued notices to the illegal occupants to vacate, and when they did not comply, they were evicted.'
The Chief Minister mentioned that he instructed the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) to arrange alternative housing for those displaced, acknowledging that many were migrants.
Deputy CM Shivakumar dismissed Vijayan's comments as a 'political statement' and cautioned him against interfering in Karnataka's affairs. He remarked, 'Pinarayi should not comment without understanding the facts. These are political maneuvers ahead of elections.'
He emphasized that the Congress government is committed to providing housing for eligible individuals and clarified that no bulldozers were utilized during the eviction process. Instead, the government aimed to safeguard public land designated for waste management.
Shivakumar reiterated that Bengaluru is not comparable to cities like Mumbai, stating, 'We do not have many slums here, and we do not wish to create them.' He also noted that the land in question had been earmarked for solid waste management for nine years.
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy also advised Vijayan to focus on his own state, expressing uncertainty about the eviction details as he was not present in the city at the time.
In his post, Vijayan accused the Karnataka government of engaging in minority-targeting politics, reminiscent of practices seen in northern India, and warned that such actions are now spreading to the southern states.