Land Row In Karnataka Council: BJP Alleges ‘Rs 250 Crore Giveaway’ For Congress Offices, Minister Hits Back

Last Updated:March 10, 2026, 23:49 IST

The Congress alleged that the BJP too had received land at concessional rates in the past

A heated exchange erupted in the Legislative Council after BJP MLC DS Arun accused the Karnataka government of allotting prime land worth crores to the Congress at throwaway prices for constructing party offices across the state. However, Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh rejected the allegations, stating that all allotments were approved by the Cabinet and followed due procedure.

Raising the issue during Question Hour, Arun questioned the government over the land granted for Congress buildings in several districts, including Bagalkote, Dharwad, Devanahalli, and Koppal. He alleged that public utility sites were being handed over to the ruling party at rates far below the official guidance value.

“Guidance value for one acre in Tumakuru is about Rs 1.70 crore. But the Congress has taken one acre of land for just Rs 8 lakh. It is unbelievable that such prime land has been given away at this rate," Arun said in the council.

Calling the Tumakuru allotment only one example, Arun alleged that the Congress government plans to construct party buildings in nearly 100 locations across the state. “Officials in the Urban Development Department had reportedly rejected some proposals at the panchayat level. Despite that, the Cabinet cleared them. Land worth around Rs 250 crore has been looted for just about Rs 50 lakh," he charged.

Arun further demanded that allotments should be made strictly based on SR value or guidance value. “If land is allotted at the official guidance value, we have no objection. The government should also investigate any land given to BJP offices earlier. But we have never taken land by paying just five percent of the SR value," he said, adding that the BJP would pursue a legal battle on the issue.

Responding to the allegations, Minister Byrathi Suresh said the allotments were made through Cabinet decisions and that there was no violation of law. “Only in Tumakuru has a CA site been allotted to the Congress office at a rate lower than the market value. Such allotments of CA sites to organisations and even political parties have been happening for years," he said.

Suresh also counter-attacked the BJP, claiming the party too had received land at concessional rates in the past. “Arun himself has taken two sites at lower prices. Even BJP offices have received land at similar rates. In one case, 10,000 square feet of land was given for just Rs 500 for constructing BJP buildings," he said.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy alleged that the government was committing a “gross violation" by allotting land for political purposes without public transparency.

“The government’s plan is to build about 100 Congress offices across the state. This should have been publicly announced so objections could be filed. This is nothing but daylight robbery," Narayanaswamy said.

He further questioned whether a Cabinet decision automatically makes an illegal act legal. “Just because the Cabinet approves it, does it become legal? The government is doing injustice and looting public land," he alleged.

Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti intervened during the heated debate and suggested that if members wanted a detailed discussion, the issue could be brought up separately for a half-hour debate in the House.

News politics Land Row In Karnataka Council: BJP Alleges ‘Rs 250 Crore Giveaway’ For Congress Offices, Minister Hits Back

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