Congress govt creating 'mini Bangladesh' in Karnataka, says BJP leader Ashoka
Bengaluru (PTI): Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka on Wednesday accused the Congress government of creating 'mini Bangladesh' in the state due to its appeasement politics.
Launching a scathing attack on the Congress government after visiting the eviction site at Kogilu layout in Yelahanka, Ashoka alleged that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was encouraging large-scale encroachment and illegal settlements.
The Congress government came under severe criticism from Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) for demolishing houses for the minorities. Alarmed by it, the Congress high command too intervened and directed the state government to be compassionate to the minorities.
The state government has announced that it will provide alternative housing arrangements for those genuine residents among them. The BJP flayed the government for taking a U-turn on the issue, saying that this was 'appeasement politics'.
Speaking to reporters during his visit to the demolition spot, Ashoka said the state was witnessing an alarming trend after the change in government and questioned the identity and origin of those residing on encroached government land.
The BJP leader pointed out that Google Maps showed no houses in the area a year ago, indicating that the settlements had come up only in the last six months, and questioned how electricity connections were provided so quickly.
Ashoka said, "The Congress government led by Siddaramaiah is creating mini Bangladeshs in Karnataka. After fooling Kannadigas for so long, they are now building a mini Bangladesh in the state."
He said nearly four lakh people in Karnataka were living without electricity as their houses were deemed unauthorised, while residents of the Kogilu slum had been provided high-end cable electricity connections.
“When taxpayers of this state are living without power, how are these people getting expensive cable connections? Are they relatives of Siddaramaiah?” he asked.
Ashoka claimed the residents were said to have come from Penukonda in Andhra Pradesh and questioned contradictory claims about their age and duration of stay. Calling the land prime property worth nearly Rs 600 crore, Ashoka asked under which law the government proposed to allot it. He also accused the government of neglecting flood victims and the education sector.
“Around 13,000 houses were damaged in floods, and farmers are still without shelter. Roof sheets of 2,400 schools have flown away and classes are being held under trees, but here flats are being allotted within two days,” he alleged.
Ashoka further alleged that such settlements would turn into crime hubs and accused the government of favouring 'Bangladeshis' in the name of rehabilitation. “What are you giving Kannadigas? Are you giving them shells?” he asked, adding that the government was “gifting houses to Bangladeshis for the New Year.”
Meanwhile, Legislative Council Opposition Leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy demanded that the case be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for verification of original records.
He alleged that ministers themselves had shifted people from the site and questioned the government’s sudden “U-turn” after developments in neighbouring states. He pointed out that 38 lakh people were waiting for houses across the state and demanded to know why those evicted elsewhere were not rehabilitated.
Former Deputy Chief Minister and BJP MLA C N Ashwath Narayan warned that the issue posed a threat to the security of the country, the state and Bengaluru.
He accused the government of attempting to 'cover up' by claiming the residents were not Bangladeshis and demanded that illegal immigrants be identified and deported. He alleged that people had entered through multiple states and accused the government of compromising security for political power.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
