Bengaluru, Jan 24 (NationPress) In light of the ongoing debate regarding the rehabilitation of encroachers in Bengaluru, which has taken on political and communal dimensions, Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy emphasized on Saturday that minorities need to grasp the Congress's political maneuvers in Karnataka.

Speaking at a significant JD(S) silver jubilee event in Hassan, Kumaraswamy highlighted that the Janata Dal (Secular) is not accountable for individuals being forced to endure the harsh conditions of sleeping on streets at demolition sites in the city.

“I want to send a message to the Muslim community. In Thanisandra and Kogilu Layouts in Bengaluru, were the current MLAs unaware of the encroachments? They executed the demolitions. The nighttime temperatures drop to eight or nine degrees in Bengaluru. Children cannot rest in such cold. People were displaced using bulldozers. The Congress-led government promised housing within a day. Have those homes materialized yet?” he questioned.

“The plight of children enduring the freezing cold was not caused by the JD(S). Muslims need to recognize how they are being treated by Congress,” Kumaraswamy stated.

“Currently, individuals who lost their homes are languishing on the streets in Thanisandra and Kogilu Layouts. They lament that they purchased their land legitimately and have been consistently paying water and electricity bills. Does this government possess any compassion? Small children and expectant mothers are left to sleep on the streets,” he elaborated.

Reflecting on his political journey, Kumaraswamy remarked, “I stumbled into politics and served as Chief Minister two times. I initiated programs like Janata Darshan and Grama Vastavya and imposed a ban on liquor.”

He criticized the Congress government for what he described as an overreliance on welfare promises. “The current administration is merely fixated on guarantees. I won’t mention the state, but previously it incurred debts of Rs 20,000 crore. Today, by providing a Rs 1,250 allowance for women heads, that state has accumulated massive debts. In our state, the debt has reached Rs 8 lakh crore,” he asserted.

“They are advertising preparations for a record budget. I am uncertain how much debt they are incurring this time. I banned liquor without any expectations. I also prohibited lotteries within the state. What is the current scenario? Matka is widespread and individuals are on the streets,” he claimed.

Giving a warning to government officials, Kumaraswamy stated, “A retired officer from the Irrigation Department, who acted under pressure, faced imprisonment for four years due to a decision he made. I use this as an example for officials currently serving in the state.”

Alluding to the alleged sex CD and rape case involving former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, he mentioned, “Historically, police officers who pursued forest brigand Veerappan were honored. Today, the state government has rewarded police personnel with Rs 30 lakh in another case. I am aware of how the investigation has been conducted.”

He further alleged that a senior police officer was exposed despite prior warnings to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. “I had cautioned the Chief Minister during his first term. Officers involved in the theft of Rs 3 crore from a gold merchant in Ilavala of Mysuru remain in positions of power. They continue to operate under your government,” he claimed.

“I had advised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to take action before the situation escalated. I urged him to amend the circumstances. What transpired recently? A senior police officer was exposed, and it became national news,” Kumaraswamy remarked, referring indirectly to the senior IPS officer’s scandalous video case.

Challenging the Chief Minister’s assertions of transparent governance, he remarked, “You claim to have set a record and surpassed the tenure record of late Chief Minister D. Devaraja Urs.”

“There isn’t a single government engineering college in Siddaramaiah’s native Mysuru district, whereas Hassan boasts three engineering colleges. Deve Gowda initiated the airport project 30 years ago. This is our contribution to our home district,” he stated.

Reflecting on his father and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, Kumaraswamy noted that the JD(S), established by a leader with over sixty years of political experience, has reached its 25th anniversary.

“This silver jubilee event has addressed those who claimed the JD(S) had lost its significance,” he added, stating that the occasion was organized at the request of Deve Gowda, who will celebrate his 93rd birthday in May and enter his 94th year.