Rahul Kharge Requests Cancellation Of KIADB Land Allotment For Siddhartha Trust
Bengaluru, 14th October 2024: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s son, Rahul Kharge, submitted a letter to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) on October 13, requesting the cancellation of a five-acre plot previously allocated to the Siddhartha Vihar Trust.
Rahul Kharge, who serves as the chairperson of the Siddhartha Vihar Trust, has retracted his application for the allotment of this civic amenity site in Bengaluru, which was intended for establishing a Multi-Skill Development Centre, training institutes, and a research facility.
This decision follows the recent return of 14 sites to the Mysuru Urban Development Authority by Parvathi Siddaramaiah, the wife of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah after the Lokayukta police initiated an investigation involving Siddaramaiah and his family members.
Amit Malviya, head of the BJP IT department, criticized the site allotment in a social media post, labelling it as a case of “misuse of power, nepotism, and conflict of interest.” Similarly, BJP Rajya Sabha member Lahar Singh Siroya questioned the Kharge family’s qualifications for receiving KIADB land, suggesting that it raised concerns about potential improprieties.
Priyank Kharge, Mallikarjun Kharge’s younger son and a Karnataka minister, shared scanned copies of the withdrawal letter on his ‘X’ account. In the letter dated September 20, Rahul Kharge stated, “We are withdrawing our request for the Civic Amenity site to establish the Multi-Skill Development Centre, training institutes, and a research centre.”
He emphasized that the purpose of the Siddhartha Vihar Trust was to enhance employability through skill development in emerging technologies for students and unemployed youth. The proposed centre aimed to equip young individuals with relevant skills and make them industry-ready while also supporting those who may not pursue traditional college education.
Rahul Kharge noted that the trust sought a site within the KIADB industrial area due to its proximity to high-growth industries, which would offer invaluable exposure and opportunities for young people. He clarified that the Siddhartha Vihar Trust is a public educational, cultural, and charitable trust, not a private or family-run entity and that all institutions under its umbrella operate on a not-for-profit basis.
In his statement, Priyank Kharge affirmed the trust’s eligibility for the CA site allocation for educational purposes. However, he expressed concerns that ongoing baseless and politically motivated allegations hinder the trust’s effectiveness. He stated that the trust wished to avoid protracted controversies that would detract from its core mission of education and social service.
The Trust had originally submitted its proposal to the KIADB on February 12, 2024, with approval granted a month later.
Following the announcement, Lahar Singh Siroya expressed a sense of vindication, stating, “I feel vindicated. The Kharge family has returned the 5-acre KIADB land illegally allotted to them.” He recalled his previous statements on social media questioning the land allotment, suggesting that this withdrawal could be a strategic move in the political landscape of Karnataka.
