From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Feb 19: Union industries minister and JDS leader H D Kumaraswamy has alleged that the survey of his land near Bidadi’s Kethaganahalli is politically motivated.

Speaking to media persons at his residence in Bengaluru on Wednesday, he mockingly remarked, "Earlier, SITs were formed under IPS officers; now, they are forming SITs under IAS officers as well."

"I purchased this land 40 years ago, and since then, this issue has been kept alive to target me politically," he said, claiming that he bought the land in 1984 using the money he earned as a film distributor.

He alleged that some people had been eyeing the property for years and accused the Congress government in Karnataka of using land surveys as a tool to intimidate him since they could not take him on politically.

"They have been investigating me since 2012 but have found nothing. Unlike chief minister Siddaramaiah, I have not looted government land. Since all previous investigations haven’t yielded anything, they are now initiating an SIT investigation under IAS officers. Let them conduct any investigation they want—I have nothing to hide," he asserted.

The JDS leader explained that in 1986, former MLA C M Lingappa and zilla panchayat member Ramachandra had written to the then prime minister and home minister regarding this land.

"In their complaint, they mentioned that I had purchased the land—not encroached upon it. I have been engaged in farming on this land, not in any illegal activities. I have all the necessary documents to prove my ownership," he said.

Kumaraswamy took a dig at social activist S R Hiremath of Samaja Parivartana Samudaya, saying, "This man, who pretends to protect the state’s resources, has raised allegations against my land. However, I have not received any notice from the Karnataka high court regarding this issue."

Accusing the government of orchestrating a campaign against him, the JDS leader said, "They are bringing in people to make allegations against me. Where did these complainants suddenly come from? For 40 years, no one raised any objections, but now, out of nowhere, they have surfaced," he questioned.

"The Congress government’s SIT was preparing to conduct a survey without even serving me a notice. I called the deputy commissioner and the principal secretary of the revenue department and told them to issue a notice and conduct the survey properly," he said.

He pointed out, "I even suggested they bring in global-level land surveyors. There is no illegality in the land I purchased. In this state, there is a long history of people looting government land. I know how constitutional institutions and investigative agencies have been misused. I also have records of those involved in such land grabs."

Slams Siddaramaiah

Reacting to chief minister Siddaramaiah’s remarks referring to former prime minister H D Deve Gowda as prime minister Modi’s "cheerleader," Kumaraswamy said, "Before speaking about Deve Gowda, Siddaramaiah should first assess his own credibility. The entire nation knows what Deve Gowda has done for irrigation in Karnataka."

"People also know what Siddaramaiah has done. Deve Gowda does not need Siddaramaiah’s certificate for his contributions to irrigation and the welfare of Karnataka’s people. What is Siddaramaiah’s contribution to Karnataka’s land, water, and language? Has Siddaramaiah ever spoken about water issues in the Assembly? Has he ever fought for it?" he asked.

"Even when he had a 102-degree fever and an IV drip in his hand, Deve Gowda spoke in the Rajya Sabha about linking the Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery rivers. Should he take lessons from Siddaramaiah on irrigation?" he questioned.

Takes dig at D K Shivakumar

Responding to deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar’s claims about his contributions to the state, Kumaraswamy retorted, "What has he contributed to the state? Throwing around money—that’s his only contribution. Let’s wait for another week and see what this government actually does. Only then will I comment further. Right now, they are not even paying attention to the state’s real issues," he criticized.