95% of Houses in Kogilu Slums Built in Last Two Years: BJP Fact-Finding Flags ‘Vote-Bank Politics’, Kogilu layout row
Bengaluru: Senior BJP leader and MLA S R Vishwanath on Saturday said that nearly 95 per cent of houses and shanties in the Kogilu layout area were constructed over the last two years, sharply questioning claims that the structures were long-standing settlements deserving blanket rehabilitation.
Speaking after a BJP fact-finding team visited Fakir Colony and Wasim Layout near Yelahanka’s Kogilu area, Vishwanath said the findings expose what he termed “manufactured encroachments created for vote-bank politics.”
Vishwanath said a detailed report—including BBMP land-handover records, survey numbers, Google Maps imagery, legal provisions and site documentation—would be submitted to the BJP state president within two days. The party is considering whether to forward the report to the Governor or challenge the matter legally, he added.
“The narrative being built is misleading. These are not decades-old slums. Our verification shows that almost 95% of the structures came up in just the last two years,” Vishwanath said, alleging organised facilitation behind the construction.
He questioned proposals to regularise or compensate the occupants, arguing that disaster-affected families and those evicted from rajakaluves have still not been given houses, while fresh encroachments are being projected as humanitarian cases. “This is nothing but electoral politics,” he alleged.
The BJP leader said a large-scale protest will be held on January 5 at Kogilu, with applicants under the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation expected to participate. “If needed, we will take the issue to court,” he said.
Allegations Against Middlemen
Vishwanath alleged that an individual identified as Wasim, who allegedly developed parts of the layout, had illegally collected money and allotted shanties through informal agreements. “Whether it is Wasim or Vishwanath—anyone who cheats hundreds of people must be jailed,” he said, accusing Congress leaders of protecting such individuals.
He claimed the BJP possesses audio recordings in which people were allegedly asked to pay ₹3.5–4 lakh for huts, and alleged that Aadhaar and voter IDs were arranged for occupants without scrutiny. “We will submit all documents to the authorities,” he said.
Legal Eligibility Questioned
Vishwanath said officials themselves have stated that while 250 people claim to be residents, records exist for only around 40 houses. He added that under Section 94-CC, houses are eligible for rehabilitation only if they were constructed before 2015 and if applications were submitted on time.
He also raised concerns over proposed apartment-style rehabilitation at Baiyappanahalli, noting that S+12 buildings with lifts would entail monthly maintenance costs of ₹500–600. “How will families who struggle to afford even photocopies manage these costs?” he asked.
Vishwanath alleged that conflicting compensation promises—₹5 lakh from BBMP and ₹2.5 lakh from the Minority Welfare Department—were misleading residents. “Such payments cannot be made arbitrarily. The government is giving false assurances,” he charged.
The BJP delegation included state vice-president Malavika Avinash, MLAs Muniraj and K.S. Naveen, state secretary Thamesh Gowda, Bengaluru North district president and former Deputy Mayor S. Harish, and other party leaders.
ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: ಕೋಗಿಲು ಬಡಾವಣೆಯ ಬಹುತೇಕ 95% ಮನೆ-ಗುಡಿಸಲುಗಳು ಕಳೆದ ಎರಡು ವರ್ಷಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣ: ಶಾಸಕ ಎಸ್.ಆರ್. ವಿಶ್ವನಾಥ್
Also Read: Kogilu Case: Housing Allotment Will Be Challenged in Court, Complaint to Governor — SR Vishwanath
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