Shobha Karandlaje
Credit: DH Pool Photo
Bengaluru, DHNS: Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje on Saturday questioned the Congress’s priorities after the state government approved to allot only nine acres to the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL), which had sought 45 acres in Hebbal for the development of a multi-modal transport hub.
Shobha, who visited the proposed site for the transport hub near Hebbal Flyover along with fellow BJP leaders, accused the Congress government of favouring the real estate lobby.
Demanding that the land be used for a multi-modal transportation hub, Shobha pointed out that 55 acres in Hebbal and Hemanakere villages had been acquired during the Global Investors Meet in June 2000 when S M Krishna was Chief Minister. “Of the total 55 acres, four-and-a-half acres was allotted to a tourism company, while some of the land was used for Metro and road development projects. This still leaves 48 acres. Taking the interests of the public into account, the state government must use this land for the development of a transport hub,” she said.
‘Vindictive politics’
Pointing to the FIR registered against BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj, Union Minister of State for Railways V Somanna, meanwhile, reiterated the party’s charge that the Congress was indulging in ‘vindictive politics’. “Congress is targeting BJP legislators by indulging in politics of vendetta,” he said.