BJP Rajya Sabha MP Lahar Singh Siroya has reiterated his claims regarding the alleged illegal allotment of Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) land to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s family. Siroya emphasized that his claims are based on information from a local website and a complaint filed with the Governor, not personal allegations.
Siroya first raised the issue on social media, questioning the Kharge family’s eligibility for the KIADB land allotment. Speaking to ANI, he stated, “I have not made any allegations; it is being done by someone else. A local website shows that there have been illegal allotments to the family of Mallikarjun Kharge as well.” He pointed out that 5 acres of Aerospace Park land were allegedly allotted to Kharge’s family, raising concerns over both the legality and the ethical implications of the allotment. “There is a question about how only his family member was eligible to get the land and no one else. This matter requires investigation,” Siroya added.
In response to these allegations, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia demanded Mallikarjun Kharge’s resignation, citing the “moral responsibility” of the Congress President. He further called for the resignation of Kharge’s son, Karnataka IT/BT and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge, claiming that he had misused his position.
“Mallikarjun Kharge should resign immediately because he has moral responsibility and his family has been accused of this scam. Priyank Kharge should also step down, as there is a prima facie case of misuse of power,” Bhatia said during a press conference. He also targeted Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, linking this issue to other ongoing land allotment controversies involving the Chief Minister’s family.
However, Priyank Kharge dismissed the allegations, stating that the land in question is a Civic Amenity (CA) site intended for educational purposes, not an industrial plot. “BJP can say what they want, but they need to explain to the people what exactly is illegal about this allotment. The trust has existed for over two decades and runs educational institutions,” Priyank Kharge responded.
These allegations come amidst an ongoing controversy surrounding a land allotment scam involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot recently granted permission to prosecute the Chief Minister over the disputed allocation of land under a Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scheme to his wife.
The issue is expected to intensify the political tussle between the Congress and BJP in Karnataka, as both sides gear up for the upcoming elections.
