BJP alleges land scam, Priyank Kharge denies charge, says ‘site not for commercial purposes’

BENGALURU: Responding to the allegations made by BJP MP Lahar Singh Siroya over land allotment to a trust run by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s family, his son and IT/BT and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has denied the allegations and said the site allotted was not “an industrial plot meant for industrial or commercial purposes”.

The site allocated to the trust belongs to the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB). In a post on X, Priyank Kharge added that the KIADB had not provided any subsidy or provided any relaxation to the trust run by the family to which the plot was awarded.

“Little knowledge is dangerous Sri @LaharSingh_MP avare. Firstly, the site allotted is NOT an industrial plot meant for industrial or commercial purposes. It is for educational purposes. The intention of the trust is to set up a multi-skill development centre on the CA site. Is it wrong?” said Kharge.

Little knowledge is dangerous Sri @LaharSingh_MP avare.

Firstly, the site allotted is NOT an industrial plot meant for industrial or commercial purposes. It is for educational purposes.

The intention of the trust is to set up a multi skill development center in the CA site. Is… https://t.co/6xD8nf0mio

— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) August 26, 2024

“KIADB has not provided any subsidy to the trust for the CA site, reduced the cost of the site or provided any relaxation of payment terms. There is NO subsidy or subsidised rates for civic amenity plots allotted to SC/ST organisations. The trustees have a background in establishing and managing good quality and affordable education institutions. BTW, the Chairman of the trust has extensively worked in the prestigious Indian Institute of Science for many years. So, don’t worry about his understanding of science”, he added in the post.

BJP MP Lahar Singh Siroya, in a post on X, has questioned, “When did the Kharge family become aerospace entrepreneurs to be eligible for KIADB land? Is this about misuse of power, nepotism, and conflict of interest?”

The allegations against Kharge and his family come amidst the ongoing controversy over a site allotment scam involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife Parvathi B M. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has granted sanction to prosecute the CM over the disputed allocation of land under a Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scheme to his wife. (ANI)