BJP MP Calls for Independent Probe into Land Grant to Kharge Trust

BJP MP Lahar Singh Siroya accuses the Congress government of granting 19 acres of government land to the Siddhartha Vihara Trust, linked to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's family, at no cost. He calls for an independent investigation, alleging misuse of power.

On Monday, BJP MP Lahar Singh Siroya claimed that 19 acres of government land were given without charge to the Siddhartha Vihara Trust, which is associated with the family of Congress President M Mallikarjun Kharge. Siroya demanded an independent probe into the matter.

Documents surfaced showing the land was allocated to the International Institute of Pali, Sanskrit, and Comparative Philosophy in Kalaburagi, run by the Trust. Trustees include Kharge's wife, son-in-law, and two sons. Radhakrishna, Kharge's son-in-law and a current MP, is the secretary of the Pali Institute. Recently, the Trust was also granted five acres in the aerospace park near Bengaluru.

Siroya alleged that in March 2014, under the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government, 16 acres were leased to the Pali Institute for 30 years, followed by an additional three acres. By March 2017, the 19 acres were transferred free of cost. He argued that Kharge's son, Priyank Kharge, was a Cabinet Minister when the transfer occurred and called for an independent investigation. Siroya questioned whether the Siddaramaiah government acted under Kharge's influence.

(With inputs from agencies.)