Bengaluru, Dec 30 (NationPress) In light of the ongoing debate surrounding the demolition initiative aimed at reclaiming government land by the Congress-led Karnataka administration in Bengaluru, and the subsequent announcement of rehabilitation following intervention from the All India Congress Committee (AICC), Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Shobha Karandlaje, raised concerns regarding the apparent influence of Kerala election politics on Karnataka's affairs.

During a press briefing at the BJP state office, Jagannath Bhavan in Bengaluru, Minister Karandlaje called for a comprehensive investigation into illegal migrations from various states and foreign countries into Karnataka.

She urged all governmental departments to work collaboratively against illegal immigrants involved in drug trafficking and requested the state government to assist in identifying and deporting Rohingyas.

Questioning the administration's effectiveness, Karandlaje asked, "Who is governing this state, and for whom is it being managed?"

She accused Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal of meddling in Karnataka's matters by posting on social media and providing unsolicited guidance on state governance.

Additionally, she criticized Kerala's Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, for expressing opinions on Karnataka's governance.

Karandlaje inquired whether Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar possessed the constitutional authority and capability to govern the state effectively.

She acknowledged the decision to demolish 167 illegal structures in Kogilu Layout after proper notification as a positive measure, but claimed that K.C. Venugopal questioned this action, suggesting pressure from Chief Minister Vijayan.

Inquiring about the identity of the encroachers, Karandlaje explained that many individuals residing in Kogilu originated from West Bengal and lacked valid addresses even in their home state.

She mentioned that she had contacted Bengaluru City Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh to address concerns about individuals in the Amin Kere area of Hebbal, allegedly involved in unlawful activities.

"Those engaged in similar illegal acts have now been removed from Kogilu," added Union Minister Karandlaje.

Regarding Wasim Layout and Fakir Layout in Bengaluru, she questioned the identities of the residents.

She alleged that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar convened a meeting under duress from the Congress High Command—one attempting to secure his position and the other trying to maintain it—to clear encroachments and allocate housing to illegal migrants at Baiyappanahalli to appease the High Command.

"Who are these individuals? When did they submit applications? What about those who have legitimately applied for housing in Karnataka?" questioned the Union Minister.

She demanded that the state government compile a list of illegal immigrants occupying government lands across various locations, citing Amin Kere as merely a case in point.

She expressed apprehension about the potential consequences for Bengaluru if government housing were allocated to illegal migrants and Rohingyas in the city.

The Union Minister asked how such migrants could be distinguished if the state government and police did not cooperate, alleging that by distributing housing and issuing identification, the government was effectively settling them permanently.

Karandlaje insisted that the voter ID and Aadhaar cards of these individuals should be promptly confiscated.

She called upon the Karnataka Police to ascertain whether these individuals were from West Bengal or had migrated from other regions and to take decisive action in the nation's and state's interests.

Present at the event were Rajya Sabha member Lehar Singh Siroya, Legislative Council member K.S. Naveen, state BJP spokesperson M.G. Mahesh, and Bengaluru North district president S. Harish.