Karnataka Cong govt allots public-use plots for party offices

Government Allocates Public Land for Congress Party Offices

The Karnataka Congress-led government has stirred significant political controversy by allotting two dozen civic amenity sites across various urban local bodies to the Congress Bhavan Trust for constructing party offices at district and taluk levels. According to data from municipal administrations and urban development departments, the municipal administration department allocated 12 plots valued at over Rs 5 crore, while the urban development department allotted another 12 plots worth more than Rs 12 crore. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who also serves as the state Congress president, has set an ambitious target of constructing 100 Congress Bhavans across Karnataka to commemorate the centenary of the 1924 Congress session in Belagavi, which was presided over by Mahatma Gandhi.

BJP Levels Serious Allegations Against Congress Government

The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party has launched a scathing attack on the Congress administration, alleging that the government acquired properties worth Rs 40 crore at 31 locations for just Rs 2 crore. The BJP contends that civic amenity sites were allotted to Congress at a "throwaway" price—merely five percent of the guidance value. Party president B Y Vijayendra condemned the move as a "brazen abuse of power," questioning how the government could justify allotting prime land to the party when ordinary citizens struggle for years to secure modest plots. The saffron party argues that while providing land and housing to the poor is the government's responsibility, the Congress administration is instead engaging in self-serving decisions that directly harm the public exchequer.

Opposition leader in the legislative council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy has alleged that 31 sites in total—including five from the Revenue Department and 26 from municipalities and local bodies—have been sanctioned for Congress Bhavan construction. He specifically cited instances where civic amenity sites in Chikkaballapur, Badami, and Mandya were allotted at a fraction of their market value. In one example, a 3,404 square meter site in Chikkaballapur worth Rs 4.08 crore was allegedly obtained for Rs 2.04 crore. Narayanaswamy warned that the BJP would pursue legal action if the allocations were not withdrawn and claimed that officials themselves had stated that civic amenity sites cannot be handed over to party activities, yet these matters were placed before the Cabinet for approval.

Government Defends the Allocation as Per Legal Norms

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has defended the allotments, asserting that Congress was utilizing government land in accordance with established procedures. The government maintains that the allocations were approved during Cabinet meetings and are part of a broader initiative to establish Congress Bhavans to promote the party's ideology ahead of the centenary celebrations of the historic 1924 Congress session. Congress sources further highlight that the party is undertaking this ambitious construction project to mark a significant historical milestone and strengthen organizational presence across various districts and taluks in the state.

Yes, we are using government land for Congress Bhavans. We are allotting 5,000 to 10,000 square feet plots, Shivakumar stated, emphasizing that all processes were being followed according to legal requirements.

Congress has also countered BJP criticism by arguing that previous BJP governments had allotted hundreds of acres to party-linked trusts and organizations under the same civic amenity framework. The ruling party contends that they are following established precedents and that their actions are fully within legal boundaries. The government emphasizes that these allocations are part of a legitimate developmental initiative aimed at strengthening the party's organizational infrastructure across Karnataka.

The controversy emerged just as Congress MLAs embarked on what has been described as an international study tour to New Zealand and Australia, adding to concerns about optics and government priorities. This timing has provided additional ammunition to the opposition's criticism, with the BJP questioning whether such expenditures and land allocations represent prudent governance during times when resources could be directed toward public welfare programs.

The political slugfest highlights the broader tensions between the ruling Congress government and the opposition BJP over land allocation policies and government resource utilization. As the controversy continues to dominate political discourse in Karnataka, questions about the legality, appropriateness, and precedent for such allocations remain at the center of the debate. The matter underscores ongoing differences in how the two parties perceive government land should be utilized and raises important questions about public resource management and political party funding in the state.

In summary, the Karnataka Congress government's allocation of 24 civic amenity sites valued at over Rs 17 crore to the Congress Bhavan Trust has triggered significant political controversy. While the government defends the move as legal and aligned with historical precedent, the BJP has challenged it as an improper use of public resources at concessional rates. The matter represents a critical point of contention in state politics, reflecting broader debates about government land use, transparency in public resource allocation, and the balance between party interests and public welfare in governance decisions.