Bengaluru, Jan 1 (NationPress) In a strong reaction to the Congress-led government’s recent decision to distribute houses to encroachers whose homes were demolished at Kogilu Layout in Bengaluru due to intervention from the All India Congress Committee (AICC), the Karnataka BJP has declared a protest scheduled for January 5 at Freedom Park in the state capital.

During a press briefing at the party headquarters, Senior BJP MLA S.R. Vishwanath announced, “On January 5, we will initiate a significant protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru against the government’s decision to allocate houses to encroachers.”

Vishwanath stated that the BJP has set up a five-member fact-finding committee, with its inaugural meeting taking place on Thursday. “Currently, two committee members are out of town. Upon their return, we will conduct a site visit,” he explained.

He accused the government of neglecting individuals who had paid Rs 1 lakh six years prior under various housing schemes. “According to the law, beneficiaries' annual income should not exceed Rs 3 lakh, and those applying for houses under the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Scheme in Bengaluru Urban district must have documents proving their residency in Bengaluru for at least five years,” he elaborated.

“The Revenue Department is responsible for issuing these certificates. I have spoken with Revenue officials, and they confirmed that no such certificates have been provided. If houses are to be allocated and possession granted, beneficiaries must complete full payments,” Vishwanath added.

He further claimed that those who made payments years ago are still awaiting housing, while encroachers are being offered housing opportunities. “To me, this is entirely unlawful. If the government continues with the allotment, we will contest it in court and also file a complaint with the Governor,” he stated.

Expelled BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal accused the move of being motivated by vote-bank politics. “The high command has cautioned the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister. Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan shows no concern for the state or the nation. His primary objective is to increase the population of his community,” Yatnal said.

He further criticized the Housing Minister for allegedly advancing an agenda he termed the “Islamisation of India” and claimed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, instead of assisting local residents, was preparing to allocate houses to non-residents who hadn’t lived in the area for years.

“Their background has not been verified, and the government is hastily allotting houses for the sake of votes,” Yatnal asserted.

Accusing the Chief Minister of appeasing the Muslim community, Yatnal claimed that Siddaramaiah was disregarding the interests of other communities in the state.

In response to these allegations, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy remarked that the BJP-led government is in authority at the Centre. “If Bangladeshis or Pakistanis are present in the state, it is the Centre's responsibility to remove them. Who allowed them to enter the country initially? One cannot simply make accusations for appearances,” he concluded.