KPCC Spokesperson accuses BJP of election gimmick to woo Vokkaliga community

Mysore/Mysuru: “The installation of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda near Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru is welcome. The statue could have been installed two years before itself. Just because the elections are nearing, the BJP, by installing the statue now, is trying to woo Vokkaliga community,” accused KPCC Spokesperson M. Lakshmana.

Addressing a press meet at Congress Bhavan, near City Railway Station here yesterday, Lakshmana said: “We have no objections for the installation of the 108 ft. tall Nadaprabhu Kempegowda’s statue. It is clear that keeping the statue in front, the BJP is trying to woo the Vokkaliga community.”

When elections near, the BJP remembers all communities. But they have not established Vokkaliga Development Board and create an office for it. The community members have lost three lakh acre land around Bengaluru in the last 30 years and none of the land losers have been compensated properly, he complained.

Most of the community members, who parted their land are now working as security staff and daily wagers, who are leading a difficult life. From 2008 to 2013, more land was acquired by the Government and most of the land was acquired during the BJP Government, Lakshmana said.

Stating that Kempegowda Jayanthi celebration was ordered by the then Chief Minister Siddharamaiah in 2017 following a proposal by the then Energy Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Lakshmana said that even before that the Bengaluru Airport was renamed as Kempegowda International Airport in 2013 when there was Congress Government in the Centre and State.

Lakshmana said that the PM Rozgar Udyoga Mela to create 10 lakh jobs was a drama and added that those who were appointed in 2019 were now being given appointment letters besides stating that no new jobs have been created.

“Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha, on Sept. 5, 2021 provided an ambulance to Bendrala Venkatakrishna Ervatraya Memorial Trust at Kakkinji in Beltangadi taluk of Dakshina Kannada district at a cost of Rs. 18 lakh from MP local area fund, which is a clear violation of the Government guidelines,” he accused.

Lakshmana also accused the BJP Government of being against poor students.

City Congress President R. Murthy and leader G.L. Ramu were present at the press meet.