BJP slams Karnataka govt over alleged U-Turn in eviction row
Bengaluru (PTI): BJP on Tuesday accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar of making a ‘U-Turn’ on the eviction of alleged illegal houses in Bengaluru’s Kogilu Layout and bowing to pressure from the party high command in Delhi.
Addressing a press conference in Belagavi, BJP state president B Y Vijayendra said the chief minister and his deputy had reversed their stand on the demolition of illegal houses and alleged that the decisions were being dictated from outside the state.
"Should Karnataka’s policy decisions be taken by a Keralite K C Venugopal sitting in Delhi, or by the chief minister of this state?" he asked.
Vijayendra said the BJP would take the issue to the streets across Karnataka after deliberations at the party’s core committee meeting scheduled for January 5.
"(Issues like) drug mafia, insult to Kannadigas and irregularities in the Gruha Lakshmi scheme will be discussed, and a statewide agitation will be decided," he said.
"Announcing houses for illegal migrants by throwing rules to the wind is completely illegal. Do the chief minister and deputy chief minister even have the legal authority to take such a decision?" he questioned and said, that the houses were constructed for poor Kannadigas using taxpayers’ money.
Alleging discrimination against Karnataka’s poor, Vijayendra recalled Siddaramaiah’s earlier announcements related to Kerala.
"When Wayanad was hit by floods, the chief minister announced construction of 100 houses there and gave Rs 15 lakh compensation for elephant attack deaths. What injustice have Karnataka’s poor committed?" Vijayendra asked.
He also accused the government of failing to curb the drug menace.
"Police from Maharashtra are coming and raiding drug factories in the chief minister’s own district and in Bengaluru. What is the state government and home department doing?" he asked, alleging that Karnataka was being turned into a drug hub.
In Bengaluru, Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje echoed similar allegations, questioning whether the “heat of Kerala elections” was influencing decisions in Karnataka. Speaking at the BJP state office, Jagannath Bhavan, she demanded a high-level probe into illegal migration and alleged links to drug networks.
"The state government must cooperate in identifying and deporting Rohingyas and other illegal migrants," she said.
Karandlaje criticised alleged interference by Congress leaders from outside the state. "K C Venugopal posts on ‘X’ and tells how the Karnataka government should function.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is also dictating what should or should not be done here," she alleged, questioning whether Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar had the constitutional authority to run the government independently.
She said the eviction of 167 houses at Kogilu after issuing notices was a good move, but alleged that it was later questioned under pressure.
"Who are these migrants? Most of them are from West Bengal, with no proper addresses even there," she said, adding that she had written to the Bengaluru police commissioner regarding illegal activities in other areas such as Aminkere.
Accusing the chief minister and deputy chief minister of succumbing to ‘Delhi pressure’, Karandlaje alleged that plans were being made to allot government houses to illegal migrants at Baiyappanahalli.
"Who are they? When did they apply? What about those who have applied for houses in Karnataka?" she asked. She demanded immediate seizure and verification of Aadhaar cards and voter IDs of suspected illegal migrants.
"If you give them houses and certificates, you are making them permanent. For the survival of Karnataka and the country, the police must act," she said.
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Rahul, Priyanka arrive in Ranthambore amid tourist rush to Rajasthan
Jaipur (PTI): Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with family members, arrived in Ranthambore on Tuesday, as Rajasthan witnesses a sharp increase in tourist footfall across major destinations ahead of the New Year.
Ranthambore in Sawai Madhopur district is known for its tiger population and rich biodiversity, and has remained a preferred destination for visitors.
The New Year tourism rush has been reported across major destinations, including Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur and prominent religious sites.
According to the Jaisalmer tourism officer, the golden city has witnessed a record number of tourists, with the Sonar Fort crowded with visitors and large gatherings.
Sam Sand dunes are also thronged by domestic and foreign tourists alike, enjoying desert camps, cultural performances and the New Year events, the tourism officer said.
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Long queues have been seen at the Pichola Lake boating, Karni Mata ropeway, City Palace, Saheliyon ki Bari and Sajjangarh Fort, he said, adding that traffic congestion has affected the old city areas.
The state capital, Jaipur, also witnessed massive footfall at heritage sites with Hawa Mahal attracting 16,807 visitors, 18,203 at the Amer Palace, 14,865 at Jantar Mantar, 9,320 at Nahargarh Fort and 7,941 at the Albert Hall Museum on Monday, the department of archaeology informed.
"All tourist destinations in the Pink City have been overcrowded since Saturday," Pooja Rathore, a tour guide from Jaipur, said.
Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur saw daily visitors double to 6,000-7,000 from the usual 2,500-3,000, Sanjay Koushik, a tour operator, said. He added that the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar has all safaris booked till January 5.
Religious centres, including the Khatushyamji in Sikar, Salasar Balaji in Churu, Mehandipur Balaji in Dausa and Sanwalia Seth in Chittorgarh, also received several times higher crowds.
Special arrangements are in place at Jaipur's Moti Dungri Ganesh temple and Govind Devji temple for January 1 morning.
Hotels, resorts and heritage properties statewide are fully occupied, and tariffs have been increased multifold.
"I came to Jaisalmer with my family from Jaipur, and it was a challenge for me to find a room. Somehow, I got a normal room with a daily charge of Rs 10,000, which I believe is 6-7 times higher than the normal rate," a tourist, Pramod Chaudhary, said.
A tour operator said new year rates have increased by 20 to 25 per cent in luxury segments. Events have been planned in these properties, which include DJ parties, cultural shows and themed nights.
To manage traffic and safety, diversions have been enforced in Jaipur and other cities.
In a road safety initiative, Jaipur Police has mandated hotels, restaurants and bars to issue pink slips with bills bearing the message "Do not drive after drinking" and display awareness posters, besides appointing nodal officers for coordination.
