Karnataka govt softens stand on Kogilu, promises rehab of homeless | Bengaluru News
Bengaluru: Two days after it said there would be no mercy for illegal constructions that pose a danger to human lives, the govt has softened its stand after Congress high command’s intervention and said “eligible evictees” will be rehabilitated. A meeting has been scheduled for Monday for the purpose.Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar said Sunday that locals and eligible evictees from the Kogilu encroachment incident would be rehabilitated under Rajiv Gandhi Housing scheme.Speaking to reporters outside his residence, Shivakumar defended AICC general secretary and Kerala MP KC Venugopal’s intervention.“Venugopal has not interfered in the governance of the state. He is the general secretary of our party and has given us suggestions. Doesn’t the BJP national president advise state BJP leaders? I have got the details of the evictees. The law is the same for all communities. The CM has called a meeting tomorrow. I have got the details that one person had taken money and encouraged people to put up sheds on the govt land.”It may be recalled that CM Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar had both defended the demolition of the houses and shanties at the place, calling it a danger for residents themselves.Earlier, former DCM CN Ashwathnarayan chided the Congress govt of being subservient to the party high command and allowing the intervention of “outsiders” in govt administration.Shivakumar dismissed the criticism, saying the BJP functionary was making such statements to stay relevant in the party.“I am not bothered about such statements,” Shivakumar said.Opposition leader R Ashoka questioned the standing of Venugopal and said: “Karnataka is governed by a constitutionally elected chief minister and a cabinet, not by an AICC general secretary. Expressing a party’s opinion is one thing, but issuing moral sermons and pressure tactics on a state govt is an insult to federalism.”Ashoka said this selective outrage exposes the “truth” that it is not about humanity or sensitivity, it’s about Congress high-command politics, Kerala appeasement, and election optics, especially when party MP Priyanka Gandhi represents the southern state.He said humanitarian concerns must be addressed through law, due process, rehabilitation, and accountable state mechanisms, not through telephonic or social media instructions from party functionaries with no constitutional roles.Meanwhile, BJP MLC CT Ravi said, “When the entire construction has been found illegal, why is the govt acting subservient to Kerala politicians?” He was referring to Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s reaction to the Kogilu demolition issue.
