BJP alleges rules flouted in granting land to Kharge trust, Priyank Kharge defends family, says allotment legal

BENAGLURU: A day after the BJP state unit alleged that the Kharge family trust had been allotted land improperly, the Congress has rushed to the defence of the Congress President and his family.

Mallikarjun Kharge’s son and the Karnataka IT/BT and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister, Priyank Kharge took on the BJP asking them to explain to people how the allotment of land is illegal.

“BJP can say what they want. But they have to tell the people how is it illegal and what is illegal. It is a CA (Civic Amenity) site. It is not an industrial plot. It’s an educational thing. The trust has been there for more than 2 decades and has been running educational institutions…”

#WATCH | Bengaluru: On KIADB land allotted to Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge’s son Rahul Kharge, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge says, “BJP can say what they want. But they have to tell the people how is it illegal and what is illegal. It is a CA (Civic Amenity)… pic.twitter.com/cmcS9OEniX

— ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2024

Further criticising BJP MP Lahar Singh Siroya, who first raised the issue in a post on X and has questioned the Kharge family’s eligibility to get KIADB land, Priyank Kharge said, (BJP MP) Lahar Singh has fallen out of political favour. He wants to get back by maligning Mallikarjun Kharge and his family. By this, he will be back in the limelight…If they (BJP) are not able to figure out how it is illegal, then what should I answer?… The problem with BJP is, when they do things illegally it’s okay, but even if we do things legally they have a problem.”

Meanwhile, the Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra continued his attack on the Kharge family questioning why the allotment had been made only to their family.

“Mallikarjun Kharge family trust has been allotted 5 acres of civic amenities plot which is right next to Bengaluru International Airport. This plot is worth crores and is a valuable plot. My question is if the government wanted to allot this property how many applicants were there? Why only the Kharge family’s trust was chosen for the allotment?…No rules were followed,” Vijayendra said.

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