Rahul Gandhi expresses displeasure with Siddaramaiah over honey trap controversy: Report
New Delhi: Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has reportedly expressed his unhappiness with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over his handling of the alleged honey trap controversy.
According to a report in Deccan Herald, when Siddaramaiah met Rahul in New Delhi this week, the Congress leader conveyed his displeasure over the matter being raised in the Assembly. Gandhi is said to have told the Chief Minister that the issue should not have been brought up on the Assembly floor, as discussions in the House are on record and can cause embarrassment to the party.
Sources cited by DH reveal that Rahul Gandhi advised Siddaramaiah to have handled the situation more diplomatically to avoid making it a subject of public discourse. However, the CM reportedly defended his actions, clarifying that Co-operation Minister K.N. Rajanna had not raised the matter in the Assembly on his own. Siddaramaiah explained that when two BJP members brought up the issue and mentioned Rajanna's name, the minister was simply providing a clarification, and it was not an intentional move to drag the issue into the legislative proceedings.
The controversy had also reached Congress President Mallikarjuna Kharge, who, during a meeting with Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru, conveyed that party leaders in Delhi were not pleased with the issue being debated in the floor of the House. Despite these developments, Siddaramaiah refused to comment on his discussions with Rahul Gandhi.
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Jammu: BJP opposes anti-encroachment drive, seeks regularisation of illegal structures
Jammu (PTI): The BJP has opposed the ongoing anti-encroachment drive carried out by the Jammu Development Authority (JDA), demanding a halt to the operation, regularising existing constructions and action against "erring" officials.
On May 4, the JDA demolished more than 15 structures built without permissions on the Ring Road, along the Jamm-Samba belt, to curb illegal constructions and enforce planning norms.
Tensions escalated when BJP MLA Rajeev Kumar Bhagat, along with locals, intervened and stood in front of bulldozers in the Bisnah area to stop the demolition of a three-storey structure. Several party leaders joined the protest.
Later, a delegation of BJP leaders, comprising Rajeev Kumar Bhagat, Garu Ram Bhagat, Surinder Bhagat and former MLA Chander Prakash Ganga, met JDA Vice Chairman Rupesh Kumar on May 5 and sought suspension of demolition drives and called for registration and regularisation of existing structures.
Addressing reporters, Rajeev Kumar Bhagat alleged that JDA’s enforcement wing failed in its duty and accused the lower-level staff of misleading people.
“We have repeatedly said JDA should inform people where construction is permitted. Instead, staff took money, allowed structures to come up, and then demolished them when the buildings reached the third floor (exceeding permitted height limits),” he said.
He questioned the timing of the drive, saying, “What kind of emergency was it that officials arrived at 4 am to carry out demolition?”
Bhagat also cited the case of a farmer whose land was partly acquired for the Ring Road, leaving him with limited land on which he had begun construction.
The MLA demanded strict action against JDA officials, including suspension of enforcement staff, alleging that illegal constructions had flourished due to administrative lapses.
He also sought a probe by the Anti-Corruption Bureau into alleged irregularities by them.
Garu Ram Bhagat said the meeting with JDA authorities was held in a “positive atmosphere” and claimed that assurances were given that already constructed structures would not be demolished immediately.
He said that people would be allowed to apply online for No Objection Certificates and resume construction after approvals.
BJP MLA Surinder Bhagat said they had intervened to prevent demolition and protect people’s interests while maintaining that they support lawful action.
“We will not support any illegal activity, but harassment of poor people in the name of law will not be accepted,” he said.
The legislators also flagged a lack of coordination between departments, particularly between JDA and Revenue authorities, claiming conflicting land-use classifications were creating confusion for residents.
They said a joint meeting with the district administration would be convened to streamline land records, clarify jurisdiction and ensure transparency in permissions.
JDA officials maintained that the demolition drive was carried out after due notice and was aimed at enforcing building regulations and ensuring planned urban development.
