Mallikarjun Kharge family's Siddharth Vihar Trust decides to return 5 acres of land
Bengaluru: The Siddharth Vihar Trust, led by Rahul Kharge, son of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, has decided to return 5 acres of civic amenity (CA) land in Bengaluru's Aerospace Park. This decision follows a controversy over the allocation of the land to the trust.
Two days ago, the trust wrote to the government, requesting to return the allotted CA land. The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) had earlier conducted the allocation process, during which 193 organisations applied for the land, and 43 were selected, including the Siddharth Vihar Trust. However, the allocation sparked criticism, leading to the current decision.
Today, Karnataka Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge clarified the decision during a press conference in Bengaluru, stating that the family’s trust would return the allotted site in light of the controversy.
The issue arose from allegations that the allocation process was improper. According to Priyank Kharge, Rahul Kharge was likely unaware of the allocation. He added, "Only three of us from the family are involved in politics. My elder brother is a soft-spoken individual who has expressed distress over the attacks our family has faced. On 29 September, he wrote to KIADB to return the land, stating that the allocation would be legally handed back."
Priyank further explained that Rahul Kharge had applied for the land in accordance with the rules and that it was allotted based on proper documentation. He emphasised that the allocation was legal and not rushed, adding, "Rahul Kharge, who is not well-known to the public, passed the UPSC exams and worked hard for his education. This is merely a political accusation, with no wrongdoing involved."
In his remarks, Priyank also criticised the BJP, stating that personal attacks on their family were ongoing and that "BJP leaders do not send their children to the RSS." He accused BJP leaders of consistently engaging in slanderous comments to tarnish their family’s reputation.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
