Tharoor defends Karnataka govt’s stand on Bengaluru demolition drive
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Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday defended the Karnataka government’s demolition drive in Bengaluru, saying that legal procedures were followed and alternative arrangements had been promised to the affected residents.
Speaking to reporters here, Tharoor said the land on which the houses were built belonged to the government.
“First, the land belonged to the government, and people were living there illegally. Second, it was a garbage dump and toxic waste had contaminated the water, so it was not a fit place for people to live,” he said.
Tharoor said notices had been issued to the residents before the demolition.
He said he did not see justice in politically projecting the issue only on the basis that the affected people were poor.
“The government has taken a decision to provide temporary accommodation and has promised permanent housing within five to six months,” he said.
According to Tharoor, since a solution has been found, there is no need to unnecessarily provoke the issue.
“There may be flaws in the shifting process and there can be differences of opinion on how it was done. But a promise has been given to find a solution,” he said.
Referring to court directions against so-called ‘bulldozer’ evictions, Tharoor said all actions must be carried out legally.
“The Karnataka government has done this, adhering to court directions. Notices were given, and in some cases they were issued multiple times before the demolition,” he said.
He added that he had not visited Karnataka and therefore had no right to give a definitive opinion, but said the matter should be understood by keeping all these facts in mind.
On the BJP’s victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, which falls under his parliamentary constituency, Tharoor said he would raise certain related issues within the party.
He acknowledged that the BJP had worked for the victory and recalled that the party had gained an upper hand in Thiruvananthapuram city during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as well.
“I had pointed this out then itself as a warning signal. There may have been shortcomings in taking our message to the voters, and we could not bring about any major changes in the last one-and-a-half years, which resulted in people continuing to vote for the BJP,” he said.
Tharoor said that after 45 years of LDF rule, people were desperate for a change and he had wanted leadership under former MLA K S Sabarinathan to come to power.
“But people chose another party. The desire for change must be taken into account,” he said.
He also said voter turnout in the local body elections was higher compared to previous polls as people were dissatisfied with the functioning of the corporation.
Responding to CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam’s remark that he was “half BJP”, Tharoor said he had heard such allegations many times before.
“People do not have the patience to read what I write or post on social media. They form opinions just by seeing headlines. If they read what I actually write, they will realise such criticisms are baseless,” he said.
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Ballari clash: Sriramulu, Janardhana Reddy hold press meet; statue unveiling postponed
Ballari: Former minister B Sriramulu and Gangavathi MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy addressed a joint press conference on Friday, a day after a violent clash broke out between rival Reddy groups over the installation of banners ahead of the Valmiki statue unveiling programme in the city.
Speaking to reporters, Sriramulu said the death of Rajasekhar Reddy, who was killed by a gunshot during the clash, was painful. He said he and his party would stand by the victim’s family and extend support to them. Alleging that Ballari MLA Nara Bharath Reddy was responsible for the incident, Sriramulu demanded legal action against him and called for a thorough probe to establish whose bullet caused Rajasekhar Reddy’s death.
Sriramulu further alleged that the clash was premeditated, claiming that a group had come near their residence with petrol-filled beer bottles and stones, allegedly with the intention of attacking them. He also alleged that there was an attempt to assault Janardhana Reddy.
Janardhana Reddy, addressing the media, said the incident had made him fear for his life. He alleged that there was an attempt to kill him and held Bharath Reddy responsible for the violence. Former minister Somasekhar Reddy, BJP Ballari district leaders and party workers were also present at the press meet.
The clash occurred on Thursday night in the Havambhavi area when rival groups confronted each other over putting up banners for the Valmiki statue unveiling scheduled for January 3. During the violence, a Congress worker was shot dead. Police have registered four separate cases in connection with the incident, including one taken up suo motu.
Responding to the allegations, Ballari MLA Bharath Reddy said the party was mourning the loss of its worker, Rajasekhar Reddy, whom he described as a close associate. He accused Janardhana Reddy of trying to divert attention from illegal mining issues and said the death had cast a shadow over the planned celebrations. He announced that the Valmiki statue unveiling programme had been postponed due to the prevailing atmosphere of grief.
Meanwhile, Ballari Rural MLA B Nagendra confirmed that the statue unveiling event had been temporarily deferred following the clash and on the advice of the Chief Minister. He said the programme would be held on a later date under the leadership of the Chief Minister and senior ministers. Nagendra also criticised Janardhana Reddy, saying there was no place for what he described as a “Republic of Ballari” mindset under the present administration, and asserted that the government would not allow any form of intimidation or lawlessness.
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