‘Former MLA’s double standards exposed’ Ashraya Committee points the accusing finger at M.K. Somashekar as he opposed project

Mysore/Mysuru: Accusing former Krishnaraja MLA M.K. Somashekar of opposing Ashraya Group Housing Scheme to build G+2 houses at Gorur Layout, the Ashraya Committee members of the Constituency have said that the project was proposed in 2015 under the leadership of the then MLA M.K. Somashekar and the approval was granted by the then State Government.

“This is double standards. It was the same Somashekar who proposed the housing scheme way back in 2015 and now, it is the same Somashekar (now a former MLA) who is opposing the project. Moreover, he is indulging in propaganda and has been brainwashing the beneficiaries for his selfish ends,” alleged Vidya Urs, member of Ashraya Committee of Krishnaraja Constituency.

Addressing a press conference at Pathrakarthara Bhavan in the city on Monday, she said that the MLA opposing the project is politically motivated and only serves the interests of the former MLA and not of the people and the beneficiaries of the scheme.

“The MLA instigated a protest on Nov. 4 in front of the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) Office. The project was approved when Somashekar was the MLA and now when the BJP Government is implementing the project, the former MLA is opposing it. If this is not double standards, then what is,” she questioned.

Govt. approval in 2015

 “We have all the documents to establish that it was Somashekar who proposed the idea of group housing instead of building individual houses and the Ashraya Committee meeting held on Jan. 16, 2015 ratified the project at Gorur Layout. It was decided to build group houses instead of single houses as there is a paucity of space. Also, the approval from the Government was procured for group housing,” she said, releasing documents to support her arguments.

 “The project has been approved by the Centre too and on Jan. 27. 2016, letters were issued by the MCC to the beneficiaries of the group housing scheme mentioning the details of the scheme. Later, affidavits of consent were collected from the beneficiaries along with new applications. But the entire file containing over 600 documents is missing from the MCC Office. A Police complaint has been filed by the MCC Commissioner in Krishnaraja Police Station,” Vidya Urs revealed.

Ramdas sanctions more land

After approval of the DPR by the Government, G+ houses were sanctioned at Gorur Block No. 8 and tenders were called to build houses by the then MLA M.K. Somashekar. “But the project could not see the light of the day and meanwhile, Somashekar lost the election. Now when the BJP MLA S.A. Ramdas is building over 2,212 houses at the same location and the work is under progress, the former MLA is causing problems and is the reason for creating confusion,” she said.

MLA Ramdas has been instrumental in sanctioning land for Ashraya houses and also has sanctioned 15.37-acre land at Nachanahallipalya under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in 2022 for phase 1 and also has sent a proposal to Chief Minister and Housing Minister for phase 2 of the project. 

“Somashekar has said that he will quit politics if Ramdas releases documents if even one acre of land is sanctioned for housing projects. Let the former MLA abide by his words instead of resorting to a smear campaign,” Vidya Urs added.

Ashraya Committee members Hemanth Kumar, B. Gowri and Hansraj were present at the press conference.