Bengaluru, Dec 31 (NationPress) A delegation from the Karnataka BJP, led by Leaders of the Opposition R. Ashoka (Assembly) and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy (Council), visited the controversial demolition site at Kogilu Layout in Bengaluru on Wednesday. This visit comes after the Congress-led government announced rehabilitation plans for encroachers, following intervention from the AICC.

The delegation, accompanied by officials from the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and other departments, engaged with locals who claimed to have lived on the site for 20 to 30 years. Ashoka challenged their claims by referencing images from authorities that showed the land as vacant a year ago.

Speaking to the media after their visit to Kogilu Layout in Yelahanka, where illegal occupants were evicted, Ashoka accused Karnataka of transforming into a center for “mini Bangladesh” under the rule of the Congress government.

He labeled the government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as “deceptive” and accused it of fostering “mini Bangladeshs” in Karnataka while misguiding the local populace for years.

“Who are these individuals and where did they originate?” he questioned, pointing out that Google Maps indicated no housing existed a year prior, yet structures have appeared. “How were electricity connections provided to them?” he further inquired.

Ashoka claimed nearly four lakh residents in the state lacked electricity due to unauthorized housing. “While our state's taxpayers are without power, these individuals are utilizing costly cable connections. Are they related to Siddaramaiah?” he asked.

He alleged that many occupants hailed from Penugonda in Andhra Pradesh. “Some assert they are 28 years old and have lived here for 25-26 years. If that’s accurate, how could they have arrived here at two years old?” he questioned.

He asserted the land's value at approximately Rs 600 crore and challenged the legality of the government's allotment plans.

“Around 13,000 homes have been lost to floods in the state, yet farmers remain without housing. The roofing sheets of 2,400 schools have been destroyed, forcing children to study outdoors. Instead of addressing these issues, homes are being allocated to these individuals in high-rise buildings within just two days,” he alleged.

“They are presenting New Year gifts to Bangladeshis. What are you providing to Kannadigas?” he further alleged, claiming that such areas have become crime hotspots.

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy accused the state government of abruptly changing its stance after a tweet from AICC General Secretary and Congress MP K.C. Venugopal and the visit of MPs from Kerala.

He demanded the case be transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to verify documents, asserting, “Approximately 38 lakh individuals in the state are waiting for housing. In Bengaluru alone, illegal homes have been demolished at 40 sites, yet not a single person has received housing. Why this preferential treatment?”

Former Deputy Chief Minister and BJP MLA C.N. Ashwath Narayan expressed concerns about the issue posing a security threat to the country, Karnataka, and Bengaluru, accusing the government of attempting to conceal it.

He demanded the immediate identification and deportation of illegal immigrants.

The BJP State General Secretary H.C. Thammesh Gowda, Bengaluru North district president S. Harish, and other party leaders were also present.