Bengaluru, April 5 || Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, on Saturday slammed the Karnataka government, alleging that people like invaders Muhammad Ghori, Muhammad Ghazni, and Malik Kafur are effectively ruling over the state.
“Our state is on the verge of destruction. The illegalities, loot, and robbery by this government have brought the state to this point. Muhammad Ghazni, Muhammad Ghori, and Malik Kafur are governing the state. They are sitting on the third floor of the Vidhana Soudha,” he alleged, without directly naming Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, while addressing a press conference in Bengaluru.
“I challenge this government. Forty years ago, I bought 46 acres of land. I have honestly cultivated it like a farmer. In four decades, such hateful politics and misuse of officers have never occurred,” he claimed.
On March 18, the Karnataka government said that Kumaraswamy is involved in the encroachment of government land, so it has seized the encroached property.
He urged the government not to stoop to character assassination. “If there is encroachment, take action. But don’t malign my name. I will not bow down,” he said.
He alleged that police were being sent to Ketaganahalli to collect sale deeds from farmers to frame him. “Has such a thing ever happened in the state's history?” he said.
Referring to a 2016-17 policy, he said that Siddaramaiah had introduced reservation in government tenders up to Rs 50 lakh for SC-ST youth contractors.