AICC general secretary (organization) KC Venugopal’s post on social media on Saturday led to a political exchange with the BJP attacking the Congress, even as Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar defended his party leader’s post as “advice” and not interference in administration.
“It is a matter of grave concern who the people of Karnataka have actually elected,” state BJP president BY Vijayendra said on social media platform ‘X’. “This goes beyond political hypocrisy. It is a direct insult to the people of Karnataka who voted for the government in Bengaluru and not for an invisible authority issuing orders from Delhi.”
Questioning Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Mr. Shivakumar, he asked, “After passionately defending the government’s actions in Kogilu village and preaching about X to the Kerala Chief Minister, will you show the same courage and address this message to your AICC chief KC Venugopal?”
Former Deputy Chief Minister CN Ashwathnarayan said that CPI (M) and Congress are in a race to appease Muslim voters. Though there have been demolitions of illegal structures in Revenue Minister Krishna Bhyregowda’s constituency, it has been quiet, he said. “On the other hand, people with legal documents are running after e-khata posts,” he added.
However, defending his post, Mr Shivakumar told reporters on Sunday that Mr Venugopal had only given advice and wanted to know if central BJP leaders were offering advice to state leaders. Ours is a national party and we all have our responsibilities”.
Meeting on Monday
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said on Sunday that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has called a meeting on Monday to discuss the Kogil demolition issue. He said the administration conducted an initial investigation and found that the individual had taken money and asked people to build sheds on government land. He said that the eligible and local families who were removed from illegal encroachment would be rehabilitated under the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Project.
Meanwhile, Housing Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, accompanied by Political Secretary to Chief Minister Naseer Ahmed, visited the demolition on Sunday. While criticizing the CPI (M) delegation that visited the site to make political gains, he said the state government would give a “good news” after Monday’s meeting.
Published – 28 Dec 2025 19:53 IST
