New Delhi, May 23: Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy launched a scathing attack on the Karnataka Congress government for removing the historic name ‘Ramanagar’ and renaming the district as ‘Bengaluru South’.
“Do they think they will remain in power permanently?” he questioned. “Situations will change. The name they’ve changed now will also change in the future,” warned Kumaraswamy. He was addressing a press conference at his official residence in New Delhi.
“They could’ve opposed it in 2007 when I made decisions. They didn’t. Ramanagar has given the state three Chief Ministers. Kengal Hanumanthaiah built the magnificent Vidhana Soudha that the world is in awe of. He challenged Nehru politically. They could’ve named the district after such a great leader. If they had, I would’ve appreciated it. But using Kengal’s name wouldn’t raise their land value, right?” Kumaraswamy lashed out.
He alleged that the renaming was part of a conspiracy by Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar to inflate land prices. “Why was the district renamed? The hidden agenda is clear. I won’t bother about it now. I’ll respond at the right time,” said the Union Minister. “I won’t support such politics. I’m not aware that the state sent the proposal to the Union Home Ministry and that it was rejected,” he clarified.
“What they’ve done will be undone”
“Are they going to be in power forever? What they’ve done now will be reversed. I know that. After all, this man is a real estate businessman. He knows how to play tricks to increase his land value. Didn’t Ramanagar district already bring value to farmers’ lands?” Kumaraswamy asked sharply. “They say my land has value. Now they’re plotting to take even that. Land I bought 40 years ago is being targeted by SIT appointed by the government. This is the first time in the country such harassment has happened. I’m fighting this legally,” he said.
“They’re harassing and conspiring against me. Let them continue. 50% of government land has been looted. I know the illegal activities they’re involved in. Who grabbed Dalit lands in Shantinagar? Who took the land allotted during Ramakrishna Hegde’s government?” he questioned.
“Siddaramaiah has kept land grabbers close!”
Kumaraswamy accused CM Siddaramaiah of hypocrisy. “He claims to be an AHINDA leader. The real tragedy is he’s keeping those who grabbed Dalit land close to him! Now he’s trying to become CM again. This shows the anti-Dalit stance of this government,” Kumaraswamy thundered.