JOIN USAddressing reporters, the party State Unit President Marasandra Muniyappa alleged that the Minister persuaded dalit farmers at Manchenahalli in Yelahanka on the outskirts of Bangalore to sell their valuable land to him at throw away prices, promising to construct an educational institution dedicated to their community. Nearly 20 acres land at Manchenahalli has been registered in the name of Ramaprasad, a trusted aide of the Minister, he alleged.
The Union Minister has been allegedly forcing all other farmers in the area to sell their land to him. “Muniyappa is eying at another 30 acre of land belonging to dalit farmers in the same area. The value of land, which is located close to the airport, is worth over Rs 150 crore. He (the Minister) is registering grabbed land in the name his trust aides and son-in-law Chikkapeddanna, a sub-registrar,” the BSP leader alleged.
The aggrieved farmers lodged a complaint with Sanjayanagar police station recently, seeking protection in the wake of alleged threats from the aides of the Minister.
Marasandra Muniyappa alleged that the Union Minister has grabbed 2.20 acres in Tinglu village, Bangalore and two acres in Yalahanka. Besides, he owned five gas agencies and three petrol bunks in Bangalore, in the name of his relatives. The total value of wealth amassed by the Minister is worth over Rs 500 crore, he alleged.
The BSP, however, provided no proof of the direct involvement of the Union Minister in any of these alleged illegal acts.
The party has demanded a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities by the Minister.
It will submit a memorandum in this regard to the Governor, the President of India, the Prime Minister and the Congress President soon. The party will also lodge a complaint with the Karnataka Lokayukta.