In a major political controversy, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka has leveled serious allegations of land grab against state Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda. The BJP accused the minister of illegally transferring ownership of approximately 21 acres of land in Kolar district, which official records reportedly identify as a lake and a burial ground, into his name.
The Core Allegations and Demands
Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, brought the issue to the forefront on Wednesday. He specified that the allegations pertain to two land parcels in Garudapalya village, Narasapura hobli. The first is a one-acre plot in survey number 47, recorded as a burial ground, and the second is 20.1 acres in survey number 46, shown as a lake in government documents. Narayanaswamy claimed that both these parcels, with a combined estimated value exceeding Rs 100 crore, are now registered under the minister's name.
The opposition leader alleged that the transfers were executed illegally through manipulation of mutation records. He asserted that the classification of the 20.1-acre lake land was altered by adding the term 'kharab' (land unfit for cultivation) to facilitate the transfer. "The one-acre in survey No. 47 is a land marked as a burial ground, which cannot be transferred to anyone. It was illegally done," Narayanaswamy charged. The BJP has demanded an immediate inquiry, the return of the land to the government, and the resignation of Minister Gowda, whom they described as being projected as 'Mr Clean'.
Minister's Firm Rejection and Counter
Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda categorically dismissed all accusations as "politically motivated" and baseless. He stated that the land in question is part of his ancestral property, inherited from his grandfather, and came to him through a legal partition of family assets. "The Garudapalya land is an ancestral land from my grandfather's time. It has come to me as part of partition of ancestral property," Gowda explained.
When questioned about the original land classifications mentioned by the BJP, the minister responded, "Please check it yourself." He challenged the opposition to file an official complaint if they suspect any wrongdoing. Gowda expressed his willingness to face any investigation, including one by the Lokayukta (the state anti-corruption ombudsman) or the courts. "If the opposition feels that I may influence the inquiry, let them go to the Lokayukta. If they don't have faith in Lokayukta, let them go to court. I'm prepared for everything," he declared, attributing the allegations to the BJP's political culture.
Political Fallout and Protests
The allegations have quickly escalated into a significant political issue. BJP workers staged a protest in Gowda's Byatarayanapura assembly constituency in Bengaluru, demanding his immediate resignation. Inside the legislature, the opposition has pressured Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to address the matter. The demand for a Lokayukta probe has become a central point, with the minister openly welcoming it and the opposition insisting on a thorough investigation.
This controversy puts the Congress government in a delicate position, as it involves a senior minister handling the sensitive revenue portfolio. The outcome of any potential probe and the government's handling of the situation are likely to influence the political discourse in the state in the coming days.
