Bengaluru: The allotment of a civic amenity (CA) plot to a trust linked to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s family has sparked controversy, leading to a petition to the Karnataka Governor. The Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, has urged Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to remove IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge from the Cabinet, alleging nepotism in the land deal.
The controversy centers around the Siddhartha Vihar Trust, founded by Mallikarjun Kharge and currently chaired by his son Rahul Kharge. The trust applied earlier this year to purchase a 5-acre CA site at the Hi-Tech, Defence & Aerospace Park in Devanahalli, for which they are paying Rs 14 crore. The petition filed by Narayanaswamy names Mallikarjun Kharge, his wife Radhabai, sons Priyank and Rahul, and son-in-law Radhakrishna Doddamani (MP from Gulbarga) as members of the trust.
Narayanaswamy questioned the legitimacy of the land allotment, asking, “How did the Kharges become aerospace engineers? How did the department give its nod for this allotment? Was the industries minister, MB Patil, compelled by the Chief Minister?” He called on Governor Gehlot to take the matter seriously and dismiss Priyank Kharge from the Cabinet, accusing the Kharges of “snatching yet another opportunity from deserving SC entrepreneurs.”
Narayanaswamy went further, accusing the Kharge family of a “criminal breach of trust” against fellow Scheduled Caste entrepreneurs.
In response, Priyank Kharge denied any wrongdoing, stating that the trust is legally purchasing the CA site. He pointed out that 43 organizations applied for 193 CA plots offered by the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB), questioning the basis for allegations of nepotism. “Where is the question of nepotism? If there were 2,000 or 20,000 applications, then I’d understand the allegation,” he said.
Priyank emphasized that the site in question is designated for civic amenities, not for industrial or commercial use. It will be used for purposes such as education, skill development, and other not-for-profit activities. He criticized BJP leaders for their lack of understanding, clarifying, “CA sites aren’t allotted or auctioned. They must be purchased.”
Defending the trust’s long-standing history, Priyank mentioned that it has been operational for nearly three decades. “Is it wrong to set up a skill development centre? What’s wrong with seeking to purchase a plot from the government? What’s illegal here? We haven’t sought any subsidy or deferred payment,” he argued.
Priyank also defended his brother Rahul, highlighting his achievements as an SSLC topper, an engineering topper, a former IRS officer, and a researcher at the Supercomputer Education and Research Centre of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).
He also criticized the double standards, pointing out that no similar allegations were raised against former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, whose family runs institutions in Shivamogga. “Is Yediyurappa an engineer?” he asked.
Priyank concluded by saying that the controversy is primarily due to the involvement of his family’s name.
