Row Over Land Alloted To Trust Owned By Kharge Family In Aerospace Park Near Bengaluru | Exclusive

Bengaluru: A fresh row has erupted in Karnataka over land allotted near Bengaluru's aerospace park to the trust owned by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's family, mainly his son Rahul Kharge. The 5-acre plot of 45.49 acres of land set aside for civic amenities at the aerospace park, was to be allocated under the Schedule caste, as per documents accessed by Republic Kannada. The Bharatiya Janata Party has alleged serious irregularities in the allotment. "Is this about misuse of power, nepotism, and conflict of interest?" BJP MP Lahar Singh Siroya asked. 

“The allocation of CA sites under KIADB has specific laws and regulations. However, Minister for Large Scale Industries, MB Patil, has violated these laws, engaged in illegal transactions, and allocated nearly 40 CA sites within a 95-acre radius with significant irregularities,” Dinesh Kallhalli, an RTI activist told R Kannada. 

“Despite several qualified applicants, the minister’s clearance committee made one-sided decisions, favouring certain companies. A thorough investigation into this biased allotment would reveal deeper layers of corruption. I have met the Governor and filed a complaint, requesting the sanctioning of prosecution. Once that is approved, I will file a case with the Lokayukta,” he further alleged. 

‘When Kharge Family Became Aerospace Entrepreneurs?’

Meanwhile, a blame game has begun in the matter with, BJP Leader and Member of Parliament (MP) Lahar Singh Siroya launching a scathing attack on the Congress party that is in power and asking when the Kharge family become aerospace entrepreneurs to be eligible for KIADB land?

In a series of tweets, Siroya shared details backed by documents in the case.

"How did the Industries Minister, Mr @MBPatil, consent to this allocation in March 2024? When did the Kharge family become aerospace entrepreneurs to be eligible for KIADB land? The matter of this alleged illegal allocation has also reached the Hon’ble Governor’s office," he said.

"Will the Kharge family eventually have to give up this land like Mr Siddaramaiah will have to give up the controversial #MUDA sites in Mysore? Will this allocation be probed? @BYVijayendra, " he added.

BJP Ups The Ante On Congress

Alleging another scam in Karnataka, B JP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala in a tweet asked several questions from the Congress over the allotment of land to the Kharge family.

"Another land scam in Karnataka. After MUDA scam where Siddharamiah family had to answer now Kharge family?" he said.

Further taking a dig at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Shhezad asked whether will Gandhi "say a wot on this?" or would remain silent as he did in the case of the "MUDA scam."

"Will Rahul Gandhi who himself is accused in NH scam say a wot on this? Or remain silent as he has done on MUDA SCAM, Valmiki scam & other scams," the post read.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Amit Malviya in a post slammed Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah over the land issue.

"After Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, now Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and family are embroiled in a land scam in Karnataka… It has come to light from a news report, backed by documents that a trust (Siddhartha Vihara Trust) run by Mallikarjun Kharge's family, has been allocated 05 acres of Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) land (out of the total 45.94 acres) meant for civic amenities, under the SC quota, in the Hitech Defence Aerospace Park near Bangalore."

Alleging Kharge of misusing his power, Malviya said, "Will the Kharge family eventually have to give up this land like Mr Siddaramaiah will have to give up the controversial #MUDA sites in Mysore? Will this allocation be probed? This is all about misuse of power, nepotism, and conflict of interest. Mr Kharge must answer."

‘A Case of Criminal Breach of Trust From Kharges’: MLC Chalavadi Narayanaswamy

Leaders of the opposition of the Karnataka Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy said, "The family of AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge has acquired five acres of land from KIADB for Siddharth Vihar Education Trust. "Priyank Kharge has misused his power as a minister. He should be dismissed from the cabinet and the land should be taken back. I met the Governor and submitted a memorandum/complaint."

'Little Knowledge is Dangerous': Priyank Kharge Responds to BJP

Responding to BJP's allegations, the Congress President's son and the Karnataka Minister, Priyank Kharge denied all allegations and stated that the site allotted was not "an industrial plot meant for industrial or commercial purposes."

"Little knowledge is dangerous Sri Lahar Singh. Firstly, the site allotted is NOT an industrial plot meant for industrial or commercial purposes. It is for educational purposes. The intention of the trust is to set up a multi-skill development centre on the CA site. Is it wrong?" he said in a tweet.

"KIADB has not provided any subsidy to the trust for the CA site reduced the cost of the site or provided any relaxation of payment terms. There is NO subsidy or subsidised rates for civic amenity plots allotted to SC/ST organisations. The trustees have a background in establishing and managing good quality and affordable education institutions. BTW, the Chairman of the trust has extensively worked in the prestigious Indian Institute of Science for many years. So, don't worry about his understanding of science," he added.

Priyank is also a trustee in Kharge's Siddhartha Vihara Trust which was formed in in July 1994. Other trustees include Rahul Kharge (who is also the chairman) and Kharge’s son-in-law and Gulbarga MP Radhakrishna.