Bengaluru, Dec 29 (NationPress) Amidst the controversy surrounding the demolition drive, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has urged the Congress-led Karnataka government to approach the matter with caution. Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President D.K. Shivakumar emphasized on Monday that the government cannot permit unrestricted settlement in Bengaluru.

After inspecting the Kogilu area, where demolitions took place, Shivakumar stated: “No one can engage in politics in this region. There is no shame in how the ruling Congress is managing the situation. Bengaluru must remain clean. We must uphold law and order; we cannot allow everyone to reside here.”

“Documentation is essential for everything. Would you (the media) permit someone to pitch tents and build structures in front of your homes?” he questioned.

Shivakumar noted that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has a specialized department for solid waste management, and a compound wall had already been built halfway to secure the area. “It needed completion. The authorities communicated with the residents and carried out the demolition as planned,” he explained.

He accused Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of politicizing the situation, saying, “He is anticipating electoral defeat in his state and is attempting to engage in politics. We do not desire political interference. I urge him to abstain. This is a local matter. We must protect the city and tackle health risks. Illegal occupants cannot be allowed to encroach on government land.”

“That’s the reason for this uproar. They aim to create slums in the city. I prefer not to comment on other cities,” he added.

Shivakumar mentioned that almost a decade prior, land was allocated for solid waste management. “This is a quarry pit where waste was disposed of. Suddenly, some individuals constructed buildings. Some possess voter ID addresses from adjacent areas. No one receives voter ID addresses for government land,” he remarked.

He stated that the authorities had notified the occupants beforehand about the demolition of the structures. “Some residents requested official communication. This is a standard procedure. The local MLA also declared that the issue cannot be regularized, as the structures were erected on hazardous quarry pits,” Shivakumar noted.

“The matter has been politicized. From the Kerala Chief Minister to Communist leaders in Kerala fearing electoral defeat, everyone is attempting to display sympathy. The minorities here are chanting slogans in my support. If we had made a mistake or failed to assist them, they would have protested against us,” he said.

Shivakumar revealed that some women claimed they paid between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 2 lakh for the structures. “We are in the process of verifying documents related to this. We cannot permit land grabbers to exploit Bengaluru. The impoverished population needs assistance. We will examine the claims and take necessary actions,” he stated.

He added that voter lists and identity documents had been checked. “A few individuals previously resided in nearby areas, but there is no official address for this location. Several leaders and party members have shared information. We will ensure justice for those genuinely affected,” Shivakumar declared.

Previously, the AICC objected to the Congress-led Karnataka government’s demolition efforts against unauthorized constructions in Bengaluru, stating that such actions should have been executed with greater caution and sensitivity.

AICC General Secretary and Congress Lok Sabha member K.C. Venugopal expressed these concerns after discussions with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.

Through a post on social media platform X, Venugopal stated: “I addressed Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar regarding the demolition of unauthorized constructions in Kogilu village, Bengaluru. I stressed the AICC’s significant concern that such actions should have been taken with much greater caution, sensitivity, and compassion, prioritizing the human impact.”

The issue gained additional attention after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan alleged that the Karnataka government was implementing a “bulldozer model,” akin to Uttar Pradesh, to displace Muslims in various parts of Bengaluru.

Responding strongly, Shivakumar urged the Kerala Chief Minister to refrain from interfering in Karnataka’s internal matters and dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.

“Without understanding the facts, Mr Pinarayi should not meddle in our state’s affairs. These are political tactics before elections,” Shivakumar concluded.