Governor Gehlot seeks report on Arkavati 'redo' land denotification case
Bengaluru: Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot has written to the state government, asking for the submission of the Kempanna Commission report and relevant documents related to the alleged illegal denotification of Arkavati Layout land during Siddaramaiah's tenure as Chief Minister.
The case dates back to 2013-18, when Siddaramaiah allegedly denotified 540 acres of land, acquired by the Bengaluru Development Authority, under the guise of 'Redo.' The accusation was raised by then-opposition leader Jagadish Shettar during an assembly session, leading to a clash between the government and opposition.
In response to the allegations, a commission led by Justice H.S. Kempanna was set up in August 2014 to investigate the denotification of 983 acres of land between 2004 and 2014. The Kempanna Commission submitted a 1,861-page report in August 2017 to the then Chief Secretary Subhash Chandra Kunthiari, which was later discussed in a cabinet meeting.
Siddaramaiah had claimed that the report cleared him of any wrongdoing. The succeeding BJP government did not pursue the matter further. However, Governor Gehlot's recent letter to Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh has reignited political discussions. The Bengaluru Urban Development Department submitted the report on September 11 to Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
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WB BJP chief urges state admin to act against violence perpetrators irrespective of party colours
Kolkata (PTI): A day after the BJP's sweeping victory in the West Bengal assembly polls, state party president Samik Bhattacharya on Tuesday urged the administration to act firmly against perpetrators of post-poll violence irrespective of political affiliation.
Addressing reporters after a meeting of the party's top leadership at its Bidhannagar office, Bhattacharya said strict action must be taken against those indulging in violence and warned that BJP workers found involved in such activities would be expelled from the party.
"Post-poll violence would not be tolerated in any form. If anyone from our party is found involved, we will be compelled to remove them," he said.
The BJP leader also appealed to Chief Secretary Dushyant Nariala to ensure prompt administrative intervention wherever incidents of violence are reported.
"I would like to urge the administration to take necessary action wherever such incidents occur. This is precisely why the people of West Bengal have chosen the BJP," he said.
Bhattacharya thanked the electorate for the party's emphatic mandate and expressed gratitude to migrant workers who returned to the state to cast their votes despite logistical challenges.
According to party sources, a high-level meeting was held at the BJP's Bidhannagar office on Tuesday, attended by central observers and senior state leaders, to discuss measures to prevent violence and maintain law and order in the post-result scenario.
The discussions also focused on ensuring that there is no repeat of the violence reported after the 2021 assembly elections, when the BJP had accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of targeting its workers.
The BJP has secured 207 of the 293 seats where polls were held, securing a two-thirds majority and paving the way for its first government in West Bengal. The Trinamool Congress has won 80 seats.
Bhattacharya also appealed to party workers to maintain restraint and not let the victory celebrations turn disruptive.
"I urge our workers to remain peaceful, stay happy, and fulfil the responsibilities given by the party. Do not hurt anyone in the name of celebration, and do not hurt anyone's sentiments," he said.
