Bengaluru, Dec 20 (NationPress) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unit in Karnataka has raised concerns, claiming that the issue of illegal immigrants has reached unprecedented levels in the state. They have called upon the Congress-led administration to adhere to the directives established by the Centre and to take stringent measures promptly.

Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, asserted that rather than expelling the estimated 20 lakh illegal immigrants reportedly residing in Karnataka, the Congress administration is “systematically cultivating them as a vote bank.”

“The situation regarding illegal immigrants has spiraled out of control throughout the state. These individuals present a significant threat to national security,” Ashoka declared, accusing the Congress of maintaining a lenient approach whenever actions are considered against them.

In relation to the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) initiative aimed at identifying illegal immigrants on voter lists, Ashoka alleged that the Congress party protested this move under the guise of “vote theft.”

He further pointed out that there has been a rise in criminal activities—including murder, assault, extortion, robbery, rape, and riots—linked to illegal immigrants in recent years. “Thanks to the Congress government’s excessive appeasement policies, illegal immigrants are acquiring Aadhaar cards and other official documentation, enabling them to access government benefits,” he claimed.

Citing a report, Ashoka noted that law enforcement estimates the presence of between 15 to 20 lakh illegal immigrants in Karnataka and alleged that an “ecosystem” exists to facilitate the acquisition of identity documents. He claimed these individuals are also involved in cybercrime, prostitution, drug trafficking, and other serious offenses.

He urged the state government to strictly enforce the Centre’s orders and take decisive action, including the deportation of illegal immigrants.

In response to these allegations, Karnataka’s Home Minister, G. Parameshwara, stated earlier that over 200 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants had been deported from the state in recent months. He acknowledged reports of illegal immigrants working as construction laborers and assured that the identification and deportation process is ongoing.

“The state government will act swiftly to deport illegal immigrants. This process is continuous,” Parameshwara informed reporters, adding that the Foreigners Regional Registration Office officials would identify these individuals and notify the police.

He emphasized that the government will not adopt a lenient stance towards illegal immigrants and dismissed the BJP’s claim that the Congress seeks votes from illegal immigrants, stating that the party has never relied on such votes to secure electoral success.