Bharatiya Janata Party's Karnataka unit president, B Y Vijayendra, has launched a sharp accusation against the state's Congress government. He claimed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar are under significant political pressure to allocate houses to individuals from Kerala who have allegedly encroached upon land in Karnataka.
Allegations of Political Pressure in Belagavi
Vijayendra made these remarks while interacting with journalists in the border district of Belagavi on December 30, 2025. He stated that the BJP would staunchly oppose any move that compromises the interests of Kannadigas, the native people of Karnataka. The party leader framed the issue as a direct threat to the state's territorial integrity and the rights of its residents.
Vow to Protect State Interests
The BJP state chief asserted that his party would not allow the interests of Kannadigas to be trampled upon. This statement taps into long-standing regional sentiments and border sensitivities between Karnataka and Kerala, particularly concerning areas like Belagavi. Vijayendra positioned the BJP as the primary defender of the state's land and people against external pressure.
While the specific details of the alleged housing allotment scheme or the source of the pressure were not extensively elaborated in the initial report, the accusation adds a new dimension to the perennial inter-state border discussions. The claim implies that the state's leadership might be considering welfare measures that could benefit those deemed as encroachers from the neighboring state.
The Context of a Long-Standing Dispute
The Belagavi region has been a focal point of the Karnataka-Kerala border dispute for decades. Allegations of encroachment and demographic changes are frequent, making it a politically charged topic. Vijayendra's comments are seen as an attempt to rally local sentiment and challenge the Congress government's stance on this sensitive issue. The BJP's promise is clear: a vigilant opposition to any policy perceived as disadvantaging Karnataka natives in favor of individuals from Kerala.
As of now, there has been no immediate official response from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah or Deputy CM Shivakumar to these specific allegations made by the BJP state president. The development sets the stage for further political debate as Karnataka continues to navigate complex regional and border politics.
